Dooars Tea Garden Becomes the Face of North Bengal’s Tourism Drive
The Dooars tea garden is now the centrepiece of Bengal’s push to grow tourism in the north. Tourism Minister Dr Shankar Ghosh says Jalpaiguri will be showcased as the “Gateway to the Dooars”, with tea gardens, forests and rivers at its core.
How Big Is the Investment Push?
At the World Tourism Day investor meet, organised by the West Bengal Tourism Department, tourism proposals worth ₹12,534 crore were approved across Bengal, expected to create about 22,000 jobs.
North Bengal’s share is reported at over ₹9,600 crore by ETV Bharat, while the minister cited about ₹4,976 crore. Figures differ between reports.
Why Is Jalpaiguri the Gateway?
Ghosh says its location near Siliguri, Bhutan, Sikkim and Bangladesh gives it an edge. Tea gardens in Dooars sit beside Gorumara National Park, Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary and Buxa Tiger Reserve, which already anchor the Dooars tourist spot circuit.
Which Projects Target the Dooars?
Resorts and Stays
- Waxpol Hotels: ₹100 crore in the Dooars
- BLG Group: ₹390 crore for resorts across Kalimpong, Siliguri and Chalsa
- Hotel Sonar Bangla Group: ₹605 crore across Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and other locations
Such resort spending fits a wider pattern of how holiday destinations are becoming real estate hotspots.
Jalpaiguri Projects
- Tulsi Group: ₹200 crore entertainment hub
- Pomesh Healthcare: ₹100 crore medico-wellness hub
- Ram Niwas Group: another ₹100 crore in the region
The wellness hubs echo the trend we covered in wellness tourism and real estate in India.
Beyond the Dooars
Tea tourism money is also flowing to Matigara, Siliguri and Kurseong. MLA Group (₹550 crore), Asian Group (₹250 crore) and Lakshmi Group (₹400 crore) are extending the West Bengal tea garden circuit beyond the Dooars.
Will Connectivity Improve?
The Centre has approved ₹1,175.59 crore for a 6.91 km six-lane bridge over the Teesta at Sevoke on NH-10. Dooars residents see it as a lifeline for the Dooars tea garden belt and forest-border settlements.
It should also ease travel to Himalayan destinations in North Bengal and Sikkim.
Is Tea Tourism Hurting Tea Production?
Some fear so. At a June 2026 state review, critics said past permissions to use nearly 30% of West Bengal tea garden land for tourism hurt production.
North Bengal has over 300 large tea estates across Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar. Tea, including tea gardens in Dooars, supports nearly one million livelihoods in the region, so the balance matters.
How Do Tourists Reach the Dooars?
Most visitors reach a Dooars tourist spot via Bagdogra Airport or New Jalpaiguri (NJP) station, with Siliguri as the gateway. NJP is about 40 km from Jalpaiguri. For a trip plan around Lataguri and nearby tea estates, see this Dooars and Lataguri tea gardens travel guide.
Tourism money is also reshaping nearby land and stays. For the property angle, read how tourism drives real estate growth in India.