Kalimpong, Feb. 16: Not many people of this hill station know that Gauripur House at Chandraloke, now bearing the address of the Cooperative Training Institute, was one of the favourite getaways of Rabindranath Tagore. Or that the huge gates at the entrance of the DGHC tourism office at Dambar Chowk was originally known as the Catherine Grahams’ gate after the lady who started an art and craft centre at the building.

These and more historical facts on the heritage sites of the subdivision will be compiled and put together in an encyclopaedia on the region, according to plans of the Kalimpong subdivisional information and culture office and a group of local residents.

“We want to bring out an encyclopaedia in which the different heritage sights of Kalimpong will be documented along with the interesting historical pieces. Many famous people have been associated with this place at one time or the other and we are trying to put together everything for not only the tourists but also the younger generation,” said subdivisional information and cultural officer P.D. Bal.

The group has already written to senior officials of the information and cultural department and the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation for funds.

The project, if it materialises, will also promote the place and boost tourism, Bal added.

“There are several heritage sights here and the main idea is to put together authentic information on them. Very few youngsters here have an idea of the rich past and heritage of Kalimpong,” said Sandip Jain, the brain behind the project.