Siliguri, July 6: The Dooars-Jalpaiguri circuit may soon have more options for tourists than just Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary.

Resort owners of Lataguri today submitted a list of proposals to the Malbazar subdivisional officer for upgrade of existing infrastructure and development of new tourist spots in the area (see chart).

In recent years, Lataguri has become a tourism hub in eastern Dooars. It is located on the Chalsa-Mainaguri road, close to the Gorumara National Park, and is also the gateway to a number of tea estates in Jalpaiguri district. The small town now has 15 resorts capable of accommodating nearly 1,000 people.

“We believe that Jalpaiguri has the potential to become an important tourist destination,” said Kamal Bhowmick, the secretary of the resort owners’ association.

The association members said the proposal has been submitted in response to Bengal tourism minister Manab Mukherjee’s promise to give a facelift to the Dooars-Jalpaiguri circuit. The subdivisional officer will hand over the proposal to the district administration from were it will be sent to the state tourism department, said Bhowmick.

So far, wildlife has been Lataguri’s greatest attraction, but the resort owners have a number of alternative plans up their sleeve.

“Metre gauge trains used to run in the area till the seventies. They can be re-introduced. Tourists can board a toy train from Lataguri and travel through the fringes of Gorumara,” Bhowmick said.

The development of Turibari, near Malbazar, finds a place in the proposal. “This is a unique site from where one can see seven rivers, including the Teesta, Sonali, Juranti and the Chel,” said association president Subir Sarkar.

The owners also want a bird-watching zone in the Teesta barrage-Gajaldoba area and a museum and a library at Jalpaiguri Palace for researchers and students.

Dibyendu Deb, a resort owner, is looking forward to greater assistance from the forest department.

“Currently, only tourists staying at the nearby Kalipur eco-village or Dhupjhora camp get to go on elephants rides. We want the ride introduced in other locations and for all tourists,” Deb said.