Jalpaiguri, December 25 (Siliguri Chronicle) – The Jalpaiguri district administration on Tuesday launched ‘Porishkar Paryatan’, a district-wide clean tourism initiative aimed at promoting responsible travel and environmental protection. The programme was inaugurated simultaneously at several major tourist destinations across the district, signalling a coordinated effort to make tourism cleaner and more sustainable.
The main district-level event was held at Laliguras, a popular picnic spot near the forest area in Matiali block. District magistrate Shama Parveen formally inaugurated the initiative, underscoring the administration’s focus on balancing tourism development with environmental conservation.
Addressing the gathering, she said Jalpaiguri’s rich natural resources require collective responsibility, especially during the peak tourist season.
“Tourism thrives only when nature is respected. ‘Porishkar Paryatan’ is not about cosmetic cleanliness for a few days… it is about building a long-term culture where tourists, local communities and authorities work together to protect our forests, rivers and picnic spots,” said Parveen.
She added that the administration aims to ensure tourism does not result in plastic pollution, unmanaged waste or environmental stress.
Under the initiative, major tourist destinations have been identified block-wise and panchayat-wise, covering forest areas, picnic spots, riverbanks, resorts and clusters of homestays.
Raunak Agarwal, additional district magistrate of the Zilla Parishad, said the structured mapping would allow better supervision, regular cleaning drives and faster responses during periods of heavy tourist inflow.
“The programme places strong emphasis on stakeholder participation. Block officials, gram panchayat representatives, police and forest departments, community-based organisations, picnic committees, resort and homestay owners and vendors have all been brought under a common framework to ensure shared accountability,” he said.
The official said eco-marts were also launched at the event. Run by self-help groups (SHGs), these outlets will sell items such as sal and areca nut leaf plates and bowls, along with biodegradable bags. Products from eco-marts and SHGs are being promoted to reduce dependence on plastic while supporting local livelihoods.
He further announced that fines will be imposed for the use of single-use plastic and for dumping waste into rivers.
Official sources said information, education and communication (IEC) activities have already begun at entry points, parking zones and commercial areas. Signboards have been installed urging tourists to avoid littering and the use of single-use plastic.
“The community development volunteers, working in coordination with the police, have been empowered to impose fines on individuals and establishments found littering or supplying plastic,” said a source.
Daily cleaning operations have been stepped up with the deployment of Vector Resource Persons (VRPs) and Vector Borne Disease Control (VBDC) teams. Dustbins and cement pits have been installed to facilitate waste segregation at the source.
Marginalised groups, including rag pickers, have been formally brought into the system. Plastic waste is being purchased at ₹20 per kg through plastic waste management units, offering livelihood support while also delivering environmental benefits.
“We have also introduced smart solid waste management, including QR-coded bins, real-time e-kart tracking and detailed waste collection data to improve efficiency during peak seasons,” said Agarwal.
Parveen also announced that, to sustain the momentum, the district will introduce seasonal awards for the cleanest tourist spot, the best-performing block and panchayat, the highest plastic collection, and the best-managed tourist destinations.
“‘Porishkar Paryatan’ marks a shift from short-term drives to sustained, community-led clean tourism. It reinforces the message that Jalpaiguri’s landscapes must remain pristine, not just for visitors, but for generations to come,” she said.
