The Association for Conservation and Tourism (ACT) began the rural tourism and homestay movement in the Bengal and Sikkim Himalayas approximately thirty years ago. Since then, it has gained prominence and further affected eastern Nepal, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, and all of the surrounding regions. Through tourism ownership, the people’s pride in agriculture and associated traditions has returned. Through this campaign, ACT has assisted them in realizing the importance of their natural and cultural heritage.

There is no greater customer than Kolkata, a city where everyone is a tourist by birth, therefore connecting all of this with the urban market has become imperative. The Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival was started in 2014 because it was simple to gather here in Kolkata for Himalayan tourism, where the locals have a great affection for the area.

2016 saw the next event, which was followed by those in 2018, 2021, and 2022.  The festival’s sixth edition is held in Kolkata this year. This was announced at a press conference that was graced by June Mukherjee, Media Coordinator, Association for Conservation and Tourism (ACT) & Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival (HOTF), Bhaichung Bhutia, Brand Ambassador of Association for Conservation and Tourism (ACT) & Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival (HOTF), Raj Basu, Convener Association for conservation and tourism, Gitali Lahiri, Joint Coordinator Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival and Vice President, Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT) and Mahasweta Roy, Joint Coordinator Himalayan Orange Tourism Festival.

Rabindranath Tagore’s connection to the Darjeeling Hills through oranges catalyzed the festival’s inception.

Following several village leaders’ meetings and a few regional celebrations, Himalayan Orange was chosen as the name that would link the majority of the communities. Additionally, oranges, one of the most popular fruits, serve as the face of all horticultural and agricultural products and, interestingly, of tourism as well. The festival’s highlights this year include agrotourism, crafts, culture, cuisine, heritage, and homestays from communities in northeastern India, including the Darjeeling Hills and Dooars, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya. Himachal Pradesh and a few more villages in the remainder of India, Nepal, and Bhutan are also joining.

To further interact with stakeholders in rural tourism and agri-enterprises, it has been planned to host 121adda for tour operators and other members of the agriproduce business from West Bengal and Kolkata on December 7 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. The participating organizations’ village cultural groups are also preparing to provide their finest performance to improve ties with Kolkata.

The inauguration will take place on 6^th December 2024, at 2 PM and the cultural evening inauguration will take place at 5 PM. It will take place from from 6th to 8th December 2024 at City Centre 1, Salt Lake, Kolkata from 12 noon to 8 pm.

Priyanka Dutta