The office and the ticket counter of an Eco Park have been found vandalised at Bhorer Alo, the mega tourism hub developed by the Bengal government at Gajoldoba near the Teesta Barrage in Jalpaiguri district.

Although it wasn’t clear who vandalised the properties and when the incident happened, anti-social elements who used to intrude into the park were under suspicion.

“It is unfortunate that the office of the park, which was developed as an attraction at the site for tourists, has been ransacked. Such incidents will send negative messages to people who wish to visit Bhorer Alo. We want the administration and the police to take necessary steps,” said Sabyasachi Roy, the secretary of the Jalpaiguri Tour Operators’ Welfare Association.

Sources said local people had spotted broken glasses and other damage caused to the office on Wednesday and informed officials of the state irrigation department about the incident.

Different departments of the state government were asked to develop infrastructure at Bhorer Alo, a dream project of chief minister Mamata Banerjee. Accordingly, the irrigation department, which has infrastructure at the site as the Teesta Barrage is located there, built the Eco Park on a plot.

The project was executed by the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation. Benches and sheds were installed, landscaping was done and rides for children were introduced at the park.

“The park has, however, been close to visitors for over a couple of years. It lacks maintenance and has become a haunt of criminals and drunkards,” said a Gajoldoba resident.

“We suspect that those who intruded into the park illegally were involved in the vandalism. Police should find them out,” he added.

Those associated with the tourism industry in the region said many of them were not aware of the Eco Park.

“If a tourism property was built, it has to be maintained properly and should be opened for visitors,” said a tour operator.

Khageswar Roy, the local Trinamool Congress MLA and vice-chairman of the Gajoldoba Development Authority, said he would take up the matter with the Jalpaiguri district administration.

“We will explore whether the Eco Park can be handed over to a self-help group or the parks & gardens wing of the state forest department. Such anti-social activities will not be tolerated in the area,” said Roy.

Sunil Thakur, the executive engineer of the Teesta Barrage division of the state irrigation department, was brief in his reaction. “We are trying to find out who all were involved in the incident.”