TTT NEWS NETWORK
SILIGURI | 22 SEPTEMBER 2025
The Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT) proudly launched the 24th Kanchenjunga Tourism Festival (KTF) with a vibrant Baul performance at GOAT Sports Arena, Siliguri. ACT members and Ambassador Bhaichung Bhutia were present for media interaction. The event began with a one-minute silence to honour Zubeen Garg, widely regarded as a youth icon, whose recent passing has deeply impacted the community.
Spanning September 22 to 28, KTF features village outreach programs, concluding with festivities at City Center. This year’s theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” highlights tourism’s role in driving social, cultural, and economic change with inclusiveness. Bhutan, the world’s only Carbon negative destination, joins as the partner country, enriching the festival’s cross-border collaboration.
KTF, a key World Tourism Day event in East and Northeast India since 2001, uniquely blends culture, heritage, and tourism. The festival opens with the Agomoni Competition, celebrating community artistry alongside Durga Puja festivities.
Raj Basu, ACT Founder, said, “KTF gives sustainability a voice through inclusive dialogue, blending indigenous wisdom with contemporary perspectives.” ACT Ambassador Bhaichung Bhutia added, “The festival grows each year, incorporating new elements like fashion shows and band competitions, while staying rooted in tradition. Bhutan’s participation highlights the theme of mindful cities and sustainable development.”
Highlights of KTF 2025 include:
● Baul performances from Shantiniketan
● Agomoni Competition welcoming Durga Puja
● Kanchenjunga Food Awards Season II, honoring culinary legacies across Gangtok, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong
● Inter-college Battle of the Bands (Bandit) celebrating young, cross-border musical talent
● Fashion shows and youth talent showcases based on sustainability ● Engage dialogues on climate change, responsible tourism, and indigenous knowledge
● Special focus on the North-South-West Corridor’s potential to transform Sikkim tourism, including recognition of the All Sikkim Voice of Chauffeurs with the Kanchenjunga Sarathi Award
Tannistha Rakshit, ACT Coordinator, highlighted KTF’s role in cultural convergence beyond diplomacy, with participation from rural areas and neighbors Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Biswajeet Roy, ACT cultural coordinator, noted the growing success of Bandit and inter-institutional competitions as platforms for emerging culture and talent.
Nishal Lama, Creative Director at Beyond Crimson and ACT member, affirmed their commitment to enhancing storytelling and visual appeal for ACT’s tourism projects.
KTF 2025 champions tourism as a transformative force amid global climate and social challenges—promoting inclusivity, economic growth, and cultural dialogue. ACT continues bridging rural communities with global tourism markets, committed to conservation and community empowerment across Northeast India.
About ACT :
The Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT) is a grassroots NGO fostering sustainable community tourism and biodiversity conservation in Northeast India, engaged with over 40,000 stakeholders in the Kanchenjunga Region.
Join us at Kanchenjunga Tourism Festival 2025—a celebration where culture, conservation, and community shape the future of tourism.
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