Tiger Hill in Darjeeling will now charge INR 50 as entry fee

Tiger Hill, one of the most important places to visit in Darjeeling, will no longer offer free visits. Visitors going to Tiger Hill will now have to pay INR 50 each for entry. This popular destination is known for a picturesque sunrise experience, and of course the panoramic view of Mount Kanchenjunga.
The decision has been taken by the forest department, which had been criticised and opposed by tour operators in the area. According to them, the Durga Puja holiday bookings have already been made, and they fear that they would have to foot the expense of the Tiger Hill entry for those travellers.


As per the forest officials here, the INR 50 charge has been in place since September 15, as it is for the entire Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary (Tiger Hill is a part of it). The Chief Wildlife Warden is supposedly authorised under the Wildlife Protection Act to charge an entry fee in areas such as Tiger Hill, which fall under the gambit of protected areas. Also, this initiative is going to help increase revenue collection, 40 percent of which will then be distributed among forest management committees run by people living in forest villages. According to Jeaesper J., Divisional Forest Officer, Darjeeling, this step would help in developing these areas where villagers reside.
Tiger Hill has been a place of pride for Darjeeling, as hundreds of people come just to watch the sunrise from this point. During New Year, a record number of visitors throng this place. Of course, Darjeeling being the ultimate viewpoint for Mount Kanchenjunga, a lot many people come just to see the majestic mountain, and Tiger Hill is perhaps one of the best spots to do so.