The poster for the festival
He added that the mascot selection also puts the spotlight on conservation scientist Barkha Subba, who has been nominated for Forest Whisperer Award under Spirit of the Hills Awards 2026. Subba, associated with Federation of Societies for Environmental Protection (FOSEP), received the 2026 Whitley Award, popularly known as the ‘Green Oscar’, for her grassroots conservation work. The amphibian is found in Darjeeling Hills, parts of eastern Nepal and western Bhutan at elevations between 1,100 m and 2,317 m.
Adding to its scientific fascination is its extraordinary ability to regenerate lost limbs and tails — a trait that has made salamanders globally important for medical and evolutionary research.
“The selection of Tylo as the festival mascot was aimed at bringing attention to the conservation of the endangered species and recognising the efforts of those working to protect the region’s biodiversity,” Choudhary said. Scientifically known as Tylototriton himalayanus, the species is currently listed as “Vulnerable” on International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Her initiatives have focused on safeguarding fragile ecosystems across the Darjeeling and Kurseong ranges,” said the director.
“Subba has been working on Eastern Himalayan ecosystem restoration, mountain wetland conservation and the protection of the Himalayan salamander. Experts describe the salamander as a crucial bioindicator species that reflects the health of forest and wetland ecosystems. It also plays an important ecological role by controlling insect populations while serving as both predator and prey within the fragile Himalayan food chain.
Darjeeling: The endangered Himalayan salamander, popularly known as Tylo, will be the mascot of Ghum Winter Festival 2026, with Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) using the rare amphibian to highlight the fragile ecology of the Eastern Himalayas and the importance of conservation. Ghum Winter Festival 2026 will celebrate the region’s cultural diversity, tourism potential, railway heritage, innovation and environmental conservation, bringing together local communities, heritage enthusiasts, conservationists and tourism stakeholders, according to the DHR officials.