The forest department will reopen three tourist accommodations in Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong districts on December 1 following the renovation of the properties.

The accommodations have been closed since Covid-19 broke out in 2020.

“We will reopen the tourist accommodations on December 1. We have also slashed the accommodation rates by around 40 per cent. Most of these properties have good cottages and we expect a good response from tourists during the winter season and beyond,” said Dwijapratim Sen, the divisional forest officer of Jalpaiguri.

The Dhupjhora Elephant Camp and the Kalipur Eco Park on the fringes of the Gorumara National Park in Jalpaiguri district, and the Mouchuki Eco Cottage near Gairibas in the neighbouring Kalimpong district will reopen on Sunday.

Sources in the forest department said they had snapped power connections at all the three locations and introduced solar lights. “The decision was made to cut down costs and prevent fire because of electrical short circuits, especially after the blaze that gutted the old bungalow at Holong in the Jaldapara National Park earlier this year,” said a source.

A forester said earlier, the daily tariff was ₹2,200 for a cottage in Kalipur, Dhupjhora and Mouchuki. The rate has been reduced to ₹1,200 per day.

“Altogether, 16 double-bedded cottages will be available for tourists. Tourists who book rooms at Kalipur will not have to pay ₹200 per head to visit the Medla watchtower in Gorumara,” he said.

Earlier, tourists staying in Dhupjhora had the option to walk up to a stream to see the bathing of pet elephants. “We have sent a proposal to senior officers to allow the same option," the forest officer said.

Debasish Chakraborty, general secretary, Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators’ Association, said: “Hundreds of tourists visit the Dooars. These accommodations will create space for more tourists.”