India, Oct. 7 -- North India's first iron foundry, built in the British-era in 1858 in Kaladhungi, Nainital district, is set to find a new identity as a heritage tourism destination. Once a thriving centre for iron production, the foundry now lies in ruins but is being revived with a development project worth Rs.1.53 crore, officials said on Sunday. The foundry site, which falls under the Ramnagar forest division in the Kumaon region, is being developed jointly by the forest and tourism departments. The project includes the construction of a main gate with a ticket counter along the Kaladhungi-Nainital highway, a cafe, and a scenic pathway running along a canal that once cooled the molten iron. "The foundry is about 200 metres from the highway. Our departments are working together to transform the site into a tourist-friendly spot. Visitors will be able to experience history in a more engaging way, with proper facilities in place," said Kamini Arya, sub-divisional forest officer, Kaladhungi. Officials said the iron foundry was set up by David & Company in 1858, after the British discovered vast deposits of a black, heavy stone in the area. Locally known as 'Kaldhung'-a Kumaoni word for black-coloured stone-it resembled iron ore and was found in abundance in nearby mines. The British melted this ore to extract iron, which was then used in railway tracks, bridges, and other colonial infrastructure projects, officials said. In 2023, the forest and tourism departments began restoration efforts, but the project got stalled due to land-related hurdles. "Once the construction of the canal-side pathway, main entrance and ticket counter is completed, we will formally open the site to tourists. It will be a unique heritage experience, combining natural beauty with industrial history," said Atul Bhandari, district tourism development officer, Nainital....