Jalpaiguri: Bengal forest minister Manoj Oraon announced he would write to chief minister Suvendu Adhikary to seek the reintroduction of the tourist toll, previously collected by the forest department. Oraon made this statement following a meeting at Dooarskanya, the district magistrate's office, in Alipurduar on Tuesday.
The toll was withdrawn on January 22, 2025, after former chief minister Mamata Banerjee approved the application for its removal submitted by then Alipurduar MLA Suman Kanjilal. Forest officials are now advocating for the toll's return, highlighting that a portion of the funds was utilized for emergency repairs and development work within forests, as well as for payments to tourist guides and safari vehicle owners.
At Jaldapara National Park, the department used to charge Rs 2,050 for a group of six tourists. From this amount, Rs 350 went to the guide, Rs 1,500 to the safari vehicle owner, and Rs 200 was retained by the forest department as a toll. The charges varied across different forests, including Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary, and Buxa Tiger Reserve.
“After the toll was stopped, we have to depend entirely on the government treasury for every small work in the forests. Earlier, the Rs 200 collected from a group of six tourists helped us carry out minor repairs, such as fixing roads washed away by rain. Now, even small repairs can take months,” a senior forest official said.
“Some tourists often refused to pay our charge, claiming the former government waived it. Restoring the system will help us earn our livelihood with dignity,” a guide at Gorumara added.
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