The Gorkha Janmukti Morcha has threatened to call a 24-hour general
strike in the Darjeeling hills if the state government fails to stop the
construction of a tourist lodge at Tiger Hill.
Binay Tamang, the GTA Sabha member and also the assistant secretary
of the Morcha, today said: "The GTA chief executive, Bimal Gurung, has
written to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, requesting her intervention
to stop the construction at Tiger Hill. We will wait for a favourable
response. If we fail to get a positive assurance within a week, we will
also approach the Supreme Court and call a 24 hour general strike."
The West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited has
undertaken a Rs 40 crore project to build four cottages, 20 double
bedrooms and a 20-bed dormitory at Tiger Hill, 14km from here and at an
altitude of about 8000ft.
Tourists flock to Tiger Hill, situated 14km from here and at an altitude
of about 8000ft, to see the sunrise and early morning rays getting
reflected on Mount Kanchenjungha.
According to the Morcha, the project site falls under the Senchel
Wildlife Sanctuary and it doubts if the construction was taken up with
proper environmental clearances.
Observers believe the Morcha's decision to take up the Tiger Hill
issue in a big way stems from the public opposition to the project. Many
apolitical people, tourism stakeholders and environmentalists are
opposed to the project.
With every passing day, the opposition to the project is growing
stronger in the social media. Unorganised groups of people are giving
calls to hold rallies or even voice their opposition by changing the
profile picture on Facebook.
"It is clear that the Morcha has managed to feel the pulse of the
people, most of whom are against the project," said an observer.
Mamata Banerjee, however, sounded defiant in Mirik today. "They do
nothing and don't want others to develop the hills. We are developing
home tourism and eco-tourism there. We developed Lamahatta as a tourist
destination and even then, people were threatened," said Mamata.(TT)
Post a Comment
We love to hear from you! What's on your mind?