Madhubani Eco Park in Jalpaiguri district is being renovated with an allocation of Rs 1 crore, with the Jalpaiguri Zilla Parishad aiming to reopen the tourism centre to visitors before the Puja holidays. The work covers eight accommodation cottages, the recreation park and lighting infrastructure at the site near the Angrabhassa River, tea gardens and forest areas.
The park, located in the Dooars region, was once a popular stop for tourists visiting North Bengal. According to the report, the centre had deteriorated over several years because of inadequate renovation. The cottages had reportedly fallen into disrepair, while declining visitor facilities contributed to a sharp reduction in tourist footfall.
The current project is intended to restore the site’s basic visitor infrastructure and improve its appeal as a nature and cultural tourism destination. Alongside repairs to the eight cottages, the plan includes upgrading the recreation area and installing lighting in parts of the centre that have remained dark. The district council has begun work with the stated aim of completing it before Puja and reopening the centre during the upcoming tourist period.
Madhubani’s administrative control has changed hands over time. It was initially managed by the Dhupguri Panchayat Samiti. After the creation of the separate Banarhat block, the tourism centre came under the Banarhat Panchayat Samiti. It was later transferred to the Jalpaiguri Zilla Parishad. The report says renovation did not begin for several years after the transfer, despite the condition of the centre.
The park’s location gives the renovation a wider tourism-infrastructure dimension. It lies near Madhubani forest, the Khattibari forest area under the Moraghat range and Totopara forest village. The surrounding landscape includes the Angrabhassa River, tea gardens and forested areas. The site also has links to local cultural attractions, including the Bon Durga Puja at Totopara and opportunities to see local traditions and indigenous dance, according to the report.
Seema Chowdhury, vice-president of the Jalpaiguri Zilla Parishad, said Madhubani had several natural and cultural assets that could increase its attraction for tourists. She referred to the nearby forests, Totopara’s cultural activities and the possibility of wildlife sightings in forest-adjacent areas. Staff associated with the tourism centre also said that, in clear winter weather, visitors may be able to see the snow-covered Kanchenjunga range from Madhubani.
The proposed reopening therefore depends not only on repairing buildings but also on making the wider visitor experience functional. Accommodation, recreation facilities and lighting are the specific components identified in the current allocation. The district council’s immediate milestone is to complete the renovation before Puja and bring the tourism centre back into operation for visitors.
