British Bungalows: A rage with foreigners

Source : Times of India

Date : Friday 23rd January 2009, Guwahati

For many tourists, Assam is all about tea gardens and jungles. But while exploring rules of the wild, most miss out the Georgian bungalows built by British.

The tourism department has now decided to tap this element and convert the plush bungalows into heritage residences. Although heritage tourism comprises a minuscule fraction in comparison to wildlife and eco-tourism yet, their presence adds an old world charm to the surroundings.

"When we talk about heritage tourism in Assam we have to include cultural heritage. Even if most people are drawn towards wildlife we need to promote other areas as well. The idea is to integrate all aspects and generate a kaleidoscope feeling" a tourism official said.

"Old bungalows are treasure house of history. We can cash in on them easily", he added. Recently a number of travelers have expressed their wish to stay in the houses. Wild Mahseer at Adabari tea estate in Balipara has become one of the most sought after destination, especially among foreigners. Balipara tract and frontier foundation (BTFF) has converted the century-old home into an accommodation centre.

BTFF is a trust that helps locals makes a living by employing them in tourism related projects in Balipara. Altogether they developed five old tea bungalows in the area.

"The idea is picked as is growth in the tourism sector", said BTFF project manager and trustee Robin Eastment. They have also merged rural, cultural, wildlife and adventure tourism into one package.

From a visitors point of view Balipara is a strategic location. he can put up in any one of the heritage bungalows, venture out to nearby villages or indulge in water rafting near Jia Bharali," an officer at BTFF said.

Earlier this year ambassador of federal republic of Germany to India spent his vacation at a village called Baligaon. It is a 10-km drive from Balipara Sonitpur District.

"The locals are also involved in tourism projects. We train elsewhere and help them make a decent living. For instance a villager called Ranjit is interested in cooking. So we trained him in an Anglo-Indian cuisine," Eastment added.