If you’re planning for a quick gateway at the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary this winter, chances are that you might be disappointed.

The resorts at the scenic wildlife sanctuary, 30km from Jamshedpur, are bursting at the seams in the peak winter season when people prefer to spend quality time amid natural surroundings.

The Pinderbera forest guest house atop the hills and the Makulakocha cottages on the foothills as well as the newly opened mud cottages have all been booked by tourists till February.

“Rooms are available for only two days at the Pinderbera facility in the month end but the cottages on the foothills are all booked,” said Dalma range officer R.P. Singh.

Foresters are helpless and not entertaining any booking requests. “We are getting booking requests in large numbers almost daily. Most of the bookings are from Bengal-based tourists. Dalma is the most preferable getaways in the region,” said an official at the forest range office in Mango.

With electricity and water problems now resolved, tourists can spend cosy time in the chill. “The temperature in Dalma is two degrees less than the city. So tourists look forward to experiencing the real chill while visiting the water bodies and the Shiva temple inside the sprawling 192sqkm sanctuary,” a forest guard said.

Arrangements have also been made for setting up bonfires at the Pinderbera forest guest house, located about 14km from the main entry gates in Makulakocha.

Tourists need to carry adequate stock of rations while visiting Pinderbera. There is also a cafeteria at the cottages where villagers dish out food as per the choice of visitors.

The double-storied Pinderbera facility has two rooms with attached toilets and each carry a tariff of Rs 800 per night. Each of the four air-conditioned cottages is available at Rs 1,100 per night while the mud cottages rooms are available for Rs 600 per night.