Seven accommodations run by the state forest department in the fringes of the Gorumara National Park in Jalpaiguri will remain shut during the upcoming Durga Puja as repair works have not yet been completed in these properties.

Sources in the department said that they are yet to complete the renovation and fire safety works in six prominent accommodations. Among these include the bungalows of Mouchuki and Murti, the rhino cottage in Ramsai, the Kalipur cottage, the Gachbari in Dhupjhora, and the Hornbill’s Nest in Lataguri, which are around 40km from here.

“Also, the condition of the Panjhora wilderness nature camp in Chalsa is in a poor state,” said a source.

A senior official said that after the old wooden bungalow in the Jaldapara National Park in the neighbouring Alipurduar district was gutted in a blaze on June, the department is concentrating on the improvement of fire safety measures in all its accommodations.

The blaze was suspected to be caused by an electrical short circuit which reduced the bungalow into ashes. It was a favourite accommodation for tourists visiting the Dooars.

These seven properties can accommodate around 80 people, sources said.

Mousam Rakshit, a resident of Cooch Behar, said her relatives from Calcutta are planning to visit Dooars during the Durga Puja.

“They had a plan to stay in an accommodation of the forest department, preferably in Mouchuki or Kalipur. But they could not get bookings as the bungalows are under repairs. Eventually, they have booked rooms in a private resort,” she said.

Alok Roy, a resident of Ramsai in Mainaguri, said the bungalow at Mouchuki and the accommodation at Panjhora have been closed since the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The bungalows lacked regular maintenance and thus, the department has to take the task of carrying out extensive repair works. In Ramsai, which is close to Gorumara, tourists have stopped coming as the accommodations of the forest department are close. Also, elephant safari has stopped at the site and the boating at the local water body,” he said.

Dibyendu Deb, the president of the Dooars Tourism Development Forum, said a section of tourists prefer to stay in government properties, especially those run by the state tourism and forest departments.

“If these seven accommodations had remained open during the ensuing festive season, more tourists could have stayed in and around Lataguri,” said Deb.Officials of the department maintained that they were carrying out the renovation work in an extensive manner.