Kalimpong | Mukesh Sharma: The much famous Hanging Bridge at Kafer Lolay Gaon is shut down since the January of 2011. The bridge under the Forest Department which once used to be one of the happening tourist attractions is now craves for attention and renovation. One of the shots of the much celebrated Nepali blockbuster ‘Darpan Chayya’ was also filmed on this location during the bridge’s golden years.
Now the bridge which once used to boast about its uniqueness is in a deteriorating condition. The wooden planks laid on the bridge are next to ruins, which always poses a threat. It seems like the Hanging Bridge will never get its lost charm back. The locals of the area say that the damages incurred during the infamous Sibsu incident has made the Forest Department stay put.
It may be recalled that during the incident the VIP Guest House along with an old Bungalow, 10 cottages and 4 other rooms meant for the tourists were set on fire. One of the locals, Purna Bahadur Gurung mentioned that the people of the said area have appealed the Forest Department to reopen the Hanging Bridge. Before, the villagers along with the concerned Department used to run the bridge by charging Rs 15/- per person. The villagers used to fix the minor damages whereas the major damages were taken care by the Forest Department. After the Sibsu incident the Department is neither willing to reopen the bridge nor do they allow the locals to do so.
Even the tourists who visit Kafer are dismayed of not being able to enjoy the walk along the Hanging Bridge. Until and unless the Department wakes up to the woes then only the tourism in Kafer will get back to normal. Right now it is the peak tourist season and not even a single tourist destination on the area has been maintained.
Now the bridge which once used to boast about its uniqueness is in a deteriorating condition. The wooden planks laid on the bridge are next to ruins, which always poses a threat. It seems like the Hanging Bridge will never get its lost charm back. The locals of the area say that the damages incurred during the infamous Sibsu incident has made the Forest Department stay put.
It may be recalled that during the incident the VIP Guest House along with an old Bungalow, 10 cottages and 4 other rooms meant for the tourists were set on fire. One of the locals, Purna Bahadur Gurung mentioned that the people of the said area have appealed the Forest Department to reopen the Hanging Bridge. Before, the villagers along with the concerned Department used to run the bridge by charging Rs 15/- per person. The villagers used to fix the minor damages whereas the major damages were taken care by the Forest Department. After the Sibsu incident the Department is neither willing to reopen the bridge nor do they allow the locals to do so.
Even the tourists who visit Kafer are dismayed of not being able to enjoy the walk along the Hanging Bridge. Until and unless the Department wakes up to the woes then only the tourism in Kafer will get back to normal. Right now it is the peak tourist season and not even a single tourist destination on the area has been maintained.
Visit Mukesh Sharma's Blog at http://mukeshkalimpong.blogspot.in/
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