Till about a few years ago, the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh used to be in news for Left-wing extremism only. There was hardly any coverage about the rich culture and heritage that held great tourism potential for the district. However, this is about to change now as tourists, both home and overseas, have started viewing Bastar in an altogether different light. And the credit for this change in perception goes to the district administration.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the District Magistrate of Bastar, IAS officer Chandan Kumar, talked about the gradual growth of the tourism sector in the region.
BASTAR TOURISM
Also known as Dakshin Kaushal, Bastar is known for its beautiful forests and rich tribal culture. Because of these reasons, the district is also referred to as the cultural capital of the state.
To boost tourism in the district, the administration launched a campaign called ‘Amcho Bastar’ (My Bastar), under which, several activities related to tourism were initiated, such as camping, trekking, boating, heritage walk, stargazing, jungle exploration, river crossing, local cuisine, and village visit for understanding the crafts and tribal culture.
“Bastar always had a huge potential for tourism. We just want to bring out the different facets of it. Given the geography of the place which includes the waterfalls, terrains, forests, etc., the region is a good mix of every factor that can induce tourism. Then there are people who are interested in seeing archaeological sites and historical regions. Bastar can cater to everyone’s needs when it comes to providing opportunities to witness nature, archaeology, and spiritualism closely,” Mr. Kumar told Indian Masterminds.
PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT
The first step taken by the administration toward tourism was to involve and train locals who could act as guides for the tourists and provide them with appropriate hospitality.
Around 500 tribal youths were identified by people from the gram sabhas who were unemployed but had good communication skills and were well aware of the terrain in the region. These were locals living close to destinations that attracted tourists. They received the proper training to become guides and showcase hospitality to people who come to visit their region.
Further, local people were also involved in managing homestays and camping sites to promote Ethnic Tourism. More than 300 tribals were employed in craft manufacturing in bell metal, terracotta, bamboo, and wood. Apart from this, 200 villagers were also involved in product manufacturing like cookies, spices, forest products, coffee, seed balls, etc.
The training was provided by the SHGs of Arya Prerna Samiti and was approved by Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha. The administration then appointed the trained personnel to work in Bastar tourism, thus, providing them with an employment opportunity.
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
To accommodate the tourists visiting Bastar, the administration has also focused on infrastructural development in the region, for the convenience and comfort of their guests. Under this, over 26 homestays are sanctioned by them out of which 10 homestays are fully furnished and the rest 16 are getting ready.
“People can come and stay at homestays on the banks of the river. This will give them a chance to experience the beauty and solitude of Bastar. There are so many options available to them to choose from,” shared Mr. Kumar.
Moreover, 12 community toilets have been sanctioned, out of which 10 are fully completed and work is in progress in two. Three roads have also been sanctioned for the convenience of the public, out of which, two soil roads are fully functional now. Electrification work is being done at full force. Along with this, art galleries and souvenir shops have also been opened which are being managed by SHGs.
“Earlier we faced problems related to connectivity but now that Bastar is connected to Raipur and Hyderabad via air, people won’t have to travel for long hours to reach here. This has really enhanced our footfall and people can witness this new avenue for tourism in our district,” Mr. Kumar told Indian Masterminds.
EXPLORING NEW AREAS
The lack of tool operators, freelancers, sufficient hotels, trained staff, and the non-exploratory nature of the administration was the biggest obstacle on the way to Bastar becoming a hot tourist spot. Now that things have changed for the better, the administration is spreading its wings and finding new places to explore.
“Every day we are coming across new waterfalls, camping sites, and unexplored terrains. We are trying to create basic facilities and amenities there so that people can come here to visit and witness the beauty themselves. There is diversity now and people are willing to explore different regions,” the officer said.
Mr. Kumar is now planning to club Bastar Dussehra, a unique cultural trait of Chhattisgarh which is celebrated by the local people of the state with much vigor, to give a first-hand experience to the tourists of the festival.
