Significance of Eco-tourism as a Tool for Natural Resource Management in Kurseong Hill Area under Darjeeling District

Eco-tourism is a form of tourism that appeals to our ecological and social consciousness. Kurseong, located in Darjeeling district at the northern part of West Bengal has optimum climatic ambience and some special attractions for the eco-tourists. Kurseong means �the land of white orchid�. Kurseong is a perfect place for people who want to derive the pleasure of being in an alpine surrounding without worrying about higher altitudes and bone-chilling cold weather. The serenity and beauty of Kurseong has attracted and inspired famous personalities in different times. Kurseong has tremendous natural resources, like water resources, agricultural resources, soil resources, mineral resources, forest resources and wild life resources. These resources are depleting in recent times and proper care should be taken immediately to preserve these natural resources and whatever resources utilisationtion is done, should be conducted sustainably. The only way to keep this beautiful hill station environmentally sound is to devise proper natural resource management along with eco-friendly tourism that can be achieved through several scientific approaches, proper management methodologies and proper communications among different departments concerned within the Kurseong hill area. Proper resource management programme will finally help to achieve sustainable eco development of this place.