Jan

Hospitality and rural tourism training for homestay owners of Raimona National Park

Kalimpong,30th January 2025: A five-day ‘Homestay Hospitality and Rural Tourism Training’ workshop from January, 25- 29, was conducted for 28 youth participants from the Raimona National Park area, Assam. The workshop, hosted by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) in collaboration with Bodoland Tourism and supported by the Eicher Group Foundation, aimed to enhance hospitality and rural tourism skills among homestay owners in the region.

Raimona National Park, spanning 422 sq km, was notified by the Government of Assam in June 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Situated in the Eastern Himalaya Biogeographic Region, the park is renowned for its pristine landscapes and rich biodiversity, home to iconic species such as the golden langur, tiger, clouded leopard, gaur, hog deer,white-bellied heron, wreathed hornbill, dhole, and over 150 species of butterflies. The park also boasts significant socio-cultural diversity, with ethnic communities — Bodo, Santali, Adivasi, Koch Rajbangshi, Nepali, Rabha, and Garo tribes residing nearby.

The notification of Raimona National Park played a crucial role in the vision of Greater Manas, an initiative spearheaded by WTI and the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), aiming to connect the Pibsoo Wildlife Sanctuary in Bhutan and the Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, fostering conservation efforts at a transboundary level. In partnership with renowned agencies and local communities, WTI has undertaken various initiatives to link conservation with sustainable livelihoods and promote ecotourism activities.

Mr. Raj Basu, Advisor, ACT conducting the training session | Photo by Team WTI

As part of these efforts, a roadmap was developed jointly with the Association for Conservation and Tourism (ACT), Siliguri, West Bengal, with support from the Eicher Group Foundation, to establish Raimona National Park as a model sustainable ecotourism destination managed by local communities. This included training nature guides, encouraging homestay establishments, and ensuring visitors experience the region’s unique offerings.

As a follow-up initiative, the ‘Homestay Hospitality and Rural Tourism Training’ was launched on January 25, 2025. A group of 28 homestay owners from the park’s fringe villages embarked on an exposure visit to Chuikhim, a model rural tourism destination in Kalimpong, West Bengal. The objective was to facilitate market linkages for local communities across the Eastern Himalayas and offer visitors an authentic experience. Participants were hosted in different homestays across Kalimpong and Dooars, learning firsthand from sector experts and seasoned homestay operators.

Mr. Raj Basu, Advisor, ACT, stated that the primary objective is to establish strong market linkages for the local communities in the Eastern Himalayas while offering visitors an unparalleled experience.

Mr. Sanatan Deka from WTI, emphasised the initiative’s impact, stating that Raimona National Park has significant potential for generating livelihoods through ecotourism. He highlighted WTI’s ongoing collaboration with the Bodoland Tourism Department to support fringe villagers in developing sustainable tourism models. This training marks a significant step towards creating a community-driven, sustainable ecotourism hub at Raimona National Park, fostering conservation-linked livelihood opportunities for local communities while promoting responsible tourism in the Eastern Himalayas.