Darjeeling, May 11: Nature lovers will soon have a new destination at to unwind in the serenity of the wild.

The Bengal forest department plans to set up an eco-camp at Chattakpur near Sonada, one of the fringe areas along Senchel Wildlife Sanctuary, about 30 km from here.

This is the first such project launched near the wildlife sanctuary after a similar initiative was taken in Lapchajagat, about 15 km from here, which turned out to be a success.

“We already have two cottages there. We plan to give a fresh look to them and make them fit for tourists,” said Ujjal Bhattacharya, the chief conservator of forests. “Each cottage will accommodate eight people at a time.” Renovation is expected to start after three months, following which the cost of the project will reportedly be finalised.

Efforts are also on to create a 2km nature trail at the camp. “We will train local people to act as guides, whom tourists may hire at a nominal price. We will teach them everything about the local flora and fauna,” Bhattacharya added. “Going by the usual trend, mostly foreigners come to such locales as these. We also expect groups of students on excursionss.”

While the marketing will be looked after by the forest department, the project will be run by the villagers. “We will train the residents in hospitality management so that they can provide good services to the visitors,” Bhattacharya said. “They will be in charge of the food, for which they can use the produce from the gardens. With local vegetables going down well with tourists, it will boost the local economy.”

The initiative taken by the forest department is largely seen as a move to strengthen the economy of the forest villagers, specially taking into account the plans offered to their counterparts in the plains.

Bhattachrya added that the eco-camp will add a boost to the economy of the forest villagers.