NEW LAUNCH : KURSEONG REINVENTS HILL TOURISM: DHR & FOREST DEPT LAUNCH ‘BAGHEERA’S TRAIL’

(UNESCO World Heritage Toy Train Meets Bengal’s Best Natural History to Slow Down the Darjeeling Rush)

TTT NEWS NETWORK

KURSEONG | 29 APRIL 2026

In a landmark move to shift Darjeeling-bound tourism from fast sightseeing to slow, meaningful travel, the Director, Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) – UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Divisional Forest Officer, Kurseong Forest Division, today jointly launched *‘Bagheera’s Trail’* with leading tour operators from across India.

The initiative directly addresses growing tourist frustration over rushed itineraries. “Destination Darjeeling was happening at a fast pace,” noted stakeholders at the launch.

“Most tourists do 7 or 10-point sightseeing, a Mirik–Pashupati Fatak dash, and then rush to Gangtok. They miss the place itself — the journey, the people, the forests.”

*Common grievances driving the shift:

1. Missed icons: Cloud cover hiding the Kanchenjunga family and Tiger Hill sunrise
2. Congestion: Heavy traffic between Ghum and Darjeeling
3. Aesthetic decline: Visible water pipes, electric wires, and waste impacting the ‘Queen of Hills’
4. The question many ask: Is Darjeeling losing its popularity? Is the Queen getting old?

Bagheera’s Trail: The Answer from Kurseong

The new circuit positions Kurseong as a mandatory 2-night stop _before_ Darjeeling, built on three principles: slow travel, local ownership, and true confluence.

Key experiences on Bagheera’s Trail:

1. UNESCO Toy Train Rides: Curated DHR journeys on the Siliguri–Kurseong–Tung section, with engineering interpretation at loops and Z-reverses
2. Nature Treks: Guided walks through Kurseong Forest Division with Forest Dept staff and village naturalists
3. Local Forage Food: Seasonal meals prepared by forest fringe SHGs using wild edibles and traditional recipes
4. Forest Museum Circuit: Bengal’s natural history showcased at Dowhill Forest Museum and interpretation points
5. Haunted Heritage: Story trails around colonial-era sites and local folklore in Dowhill–Chimney belt
6. Sherpa Culture: Homestays and cultural exchanges with Sherpa and Gorkha communities in the villages along and around the tracks.
7. Forest Villager Partnerships: Villagers as trail owners, guides, and hosts — not just service providers

“This is where World Heritage Toy Train engineering meets Bengal’s best natural history, holding hands with the forest villagers,” said the DFO, Kurseong. “It’s a true confluence. When travel becomes sustainable, it needs to be slow, and involve locals as owners. We are working on providing quality experiences through our ecotourism initiatives.”

Mr. Rishav Choudhury, the DHR Director added: “Kurseong is not a transit point. With Bagheera’s Trail, we’re giving tourists a reason to pause, understand the landscape they’re climbing through, and arrive in Darjeeling with context, not just exhaustion. We are working on to providing world class services on our tracks.”

Next Phase:

“Tomorrow’s announcement will unveil the Tea Heritage Circuit, linking Sepodhura, Norbung, Selimhill, Makaibari and other heritage estates with the Toy Train and forest trails, Says Mr. Raj Basu, Convener, Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT).

Notes to Readers:

1. DHR: Inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site 1999. 88km narrow gauge, New Jalpaiguri–Darjeeling.
2. *Bagheera’s Trail*: Named for the region’s biodiversity and Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book legacy in the Eastern Himalaya.
3. Kurseong: 1482m, PIN 734203. Mid-point of DHR with Dowhill Forest, heritage schools, and tea gardens.