In the quiet Himalayan village of Yakten, Sikkim, a quiet revolution began. Launched as India’s first Digital Nomad Village in early 2024, Yakten quickly became a magnet for remote workers seeking high-speed Wi-Fi amid pine forests and views of Mt. Kanchenjunga. Its success, boosting local tourism revenue by 40% in six months, has now triggered a domino effect. North Bengal, with its tea gardens, forested foothills, and colonial-era hill stations, is racing to replicate the model, aiming to become India’s next hub for location-independent professionals.
The Yakten Effect: How Sikkim’s Digital Nomad Village Sparked a Regional Race
“Yakten opened our eyes. We have the perfect natural setting, too,” says Samrat Sanyal, General Secretary of the Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network (HHTDN). His organisation is spearheading talks with homestay owners, tech providers, and state officials to launch similar villages in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and the Dooars by 2026.
North Bengal’s Competitive Edge: Beyond Scenic Backdrops
While Yakten thrives on alpine serenity, North Bengal offers diversity: Darjeeling’s misty peaks, Dooars’ rhino-dotted forests, and Teesta River’s adventure sports. Crucially, it already has infrastructure. The West Bengal Ecotourism Board has designated areas such as “Tea Tourism Circuits” and “Forest Coworking Hubs,” repurposing unused plantation bungalows. A pilot in Kurseong’s Eagle’s Crag Homestay, where 5G was tested in March 2025, showed 92% guest satisfaction from digital nomads.
Key Advantages Over Sikkim:
- Lower Costs: Homestays average ₹1,200/night vs. Yakten’s ₹2,500.
- Connectivity: Siliguri’s Bagdogra Airport handles 25+ daily flights to metros.
- Cultural Depth: Tribal villages, such as those of the Lepcha and Bhutia communities, offer immersive experiences.
The Stakeholders Driving the Change
Three groups are accelerating North Bengal’s nomad village push:
- Local Entrepreneurs: Homestays like Kanchenjunga Lakeview in Kalimpong now offer “Wi-Fi boosters” and ergonomic workstations.
- Government: The state tourism department is drafting relaxed land-use laws for tea estates to convert worker quarters into coworking spaces.
- Tech Partners: Kolkata-based startup Rural Net is deploying solar-powered mesh networks in remote Dooars villages, ensuring speeds of 50 Mbps.
“This isn’t about copying Yakten. We’re building a Himalayan nomad ecosystem,” Sanyal emphasises.
Challenges: Can North Bengal Outpace Sikkim?
The region faces hurdles that Yakten didn’t:
- Power Gaps: 30% of Dooars villages experience daily outages. Solutions like microgrids are being tested.
- Overtourism Risks: The 2017 water crisis in Darjeeling highlighted the strain on the infrastructure. HHTDN’s “Plastic-Free Nomad Zones” aim to mitigate waste.
- Community Pushback: Some locals fear cultural dilution. “We want tourists who respect our traditions, not just Instagram our homes,” says a Kurseong homestay owner.
The Roadmap: Phased Rollout to 2027
North Bengal’s plan unfolds in stages:
- 2025: Pilot villages in Darjeeling (Chowrasta Square) and Kalimpong (Deolo Hills), focusing on digital infrastructure.
- 2026: Expansion to Dooars, with “Jungle Coworking” near Gorumara National Park.
- 2027: A “Nomad Corridor” linking Sikkim and North Bengal for extended stays.
Why This Matters Beyond Tourism
The economic ripple effect is significant. A 2024 NITI Aayog report estimates that each nomad village can retain 60% of its revenue locally, compared to 20% at conventional hotels. For tea estates struggling with declining exports, this could revive fortunes.
Conclusion: The Battle for India’s Digital Frontier
As North Bengal’s stakeholders mobilise, the race with Sikkim is less about competition and more about collaboration. With Japan’s investment in Northeast India’s digital infrastructure under the Act East Policy, the Himalayas could soon rival Bali as a nomad hotspot without the crowds.
Final Thought:
“The future of work isn’t in cities. It’s where the mountains meet the cloud,” says Sanyal. For North Bengal, that future is now.
