https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Bastar, Once Synonymous with Naxalism, Soon to be Tourist Destination

Bastar, the place Naxalites’ guns ruled at one time, is now opening up to adventure tourism, community mobilization and infrastructure development- all thanks to the untiring efforts of IAS officer Rajat Bansal.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Bastar in Chattisgarh, once India’s biggest district, used to invite both fear and awe. Fear because of the unchecked Naxal insurgency (which now has subsided to a large extent) and awe for its natural wonders in the form of thick forests, rolling hills, meandering rivers and captivating waterfalls. Now, with the efforts of area District Collector Mr Rajat Bansal, Bastar is fast evolving with new destinations which were hitherto unexplored, and have the potential to attract niche adventure tourists who have an urge to discover the tribal culture, village life and raw nature.

This district, which lies in the south of Chhattisgarh did not tradionally carry a good perception among the people visiting it, mainly because of the Maoist-Naxal insurgency and the past few disturbing incidents. Now such activities are only constrained to two percent of the district, but people at large are still unaware of the developments taken place here.

This is another reason why Mr. Bansal is taking various steps to bring out a positive image of Bastar for the people which will eventually prove instrumental in its overall development. Not only this, but with huge community mobilization, he is also directly providing benefits to the people of the district.

AN EMERGING TOURIST DESTINATION

Speaking to Indian Masterminds, Mr. Bansal said “People now have an outlook for more eco-friendly and natural spots like jungles, waterfalls, etc. and other virgin territories which are untouched and unexplored. Luckily, there is an abundance of such adventure spots in Bastar, which we are now bringing out in the eyes of the public.”

“Moreover, the people residing in the district are very hospitable, simple, and filled with warmth. This will also be an advantage as tourists will like such behaviour among the locals. Lastly, there is also an adventure element associated with Bastar, are we are promoting it through activities like paramotoring, rappelling, rock climbing, trekking, etc.,” he added.

Walking his talk, Mr Bansal himself roped down a cliff and marked the accessibility of such activities in the district!

COMMUNITY MOBALIZATION

The plan to make Bastar a potential tourism hotspot in Chhattisgarh is being carried out in several phases. In the first phase, a huge community mobilization drive is being conducted where the objective of the district administration is to train around 500 people at 30 different locations. The training will focus on providing basic hospitality, food, culture, craft, adventure activities, which will be area-specific.

Training being provided to the community

These steps will hopefully generate more ideas as to other possible developments which can be brought to a particular destination of Bastar. It’s for the first time in the district that such efforts are being made in on community tourism model, and with a large involvement of the local population.

Planning at destination sites

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

In the second phase, after the community mobilization, the administration is planning to develop the tourist destinations and infrastructure- catering to those who come for a day only and those with a longer schedule. For the day visitors, the administration is providing basic facilities like eateries, shelters, sitting arrangements, toilets and drinking water facilities etc.

Camp sites

For the tourists planning for a night stay and more, the administration is planning to build 50 to 100 homestays and camping sites, where they can spend quality time in the thick of nature. This infrastructure development is likely to be completed in a year or so.

Camp site and bonfire

ATTRACTING TOURISTS

The last phase of the initiative launched by Mr Bansal is to attract more tourists and make them aware of the activities which are being provided in Bastar. For this, he is creating a web portal containing extensive information about tourist destinations.

The tribal culture

A `calling service’ is also on the cards, to help out the tourists. For this, guidance will be provided by people who will create an itinerary for the tourists and help them in routing their trip properly. Mr Bansal’s initiative will not only give the much-required face-lift to the exquisite Bastar but also provide platforms to its people to improve their lot.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Hindustan Shipyard Limited HSL
PESB Declines to Recommend CMD for Hindustan Shipyard; Ministry May Extend Current Chief’s Tenure
IAS Ajitabh Sharma
“80% of Time Spent on Non-Core Tasks”: Rajasthan Principal Secretary Ajitabh Sharma Questions IAS Work Culture, Calls for Reform
Nitin Gadkari
India to Become Net Energy Exporter in 6-7 Years, Highlights Hydrogen and Biofuels: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
Bank of India - BOI
Bank of India Plans to Raise Rs 20,000 Crore via Infrastructure Bonds in FY 2025-26
BEML Limited
For Operational Excellence, BEML Lays Foundation of State-of-the-Art Central Warehousing Centre in Bilaspur
rec-logo
Green Energy Boost: REC Forms New Subsidiary for 3GW Ananthapuram-II REZ Transmission Project
Bhupendra Patel CM Gujarat
CM Bhupendra Patel’s Pro-People Move: Uniform House Tax of ₹200 Annually for Rural Government-Assisted Homes in Gujarat
CM Nitish Kumar
Bihar: Gaya to Become Bihar’s Largest Industrial Township Under AKIC; ₹16,524 Cr Investment Expected
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Why Has the DGCA Fined Air India Rs 5 Crore Since Privatisation?
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
Iran Is Weakest Now, Needs a Face-Saver
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
Retired Officers Lead 7-Day Mission to Revive Betwa River with 55 Check Dams | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Sanish Kumar Singh
“If you want it badly enough, you’ll find a way,” Sanish Kumar Singh AIR 8, UPSC IFS 2024 
The real interview, he says, was much more humane. “The board was conversational. The chairman opened...
Raju Wagh
When the Battlefield Became a Study Room and a Dream Took Flight
Amid IED blasts and anti-Maoist operations in Bastar, CRPF Commando Raju Wagh taught village kids, studied...
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-18 at 10.31
"I Just Wanted to Breathe Again": The Man Who Fought Death and Made It to UPSC
Struck by COVID at the peak of his UPSC prep, Devanand Telgote spent months on ECMO, unsure he'd live,...
Social Media
Shailaja Chandra
“Nanis & Dadis Have a Brain”: Former IAS Officer Shailaja Chandra Weighs in on 1970s vs 2025 Life Debate - “This Generation Has It Better”
Responding to Viral Post on Middle-Class Struggles, Ex-Bureaucrat Offers Candid Reflection on Then and...
Tigress Arrowhead
The End of an Era: A Queen Falls - Ranthambore’s Iconic Tigress Arrowhead (T-84) Passes Away at 14, Hours After Daughter’s Relocation
Ranthambore mourns the loss of one of its fiercest and most beloved tigers, Arrowhead, the granddaughter...
Screenshot 2025-06-13 194001
Wild Elephant Disrupts Riverside Picnic, Sparks Debate on Human Encroachment; IFS Parveen Kumar Shares the Video - Watch Here!
Mr. Kaswan used the viral video, which has garnered over 1.5 lakh views, to highlight the risks of human...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Hindustan Shipyard Limited HSL
PESB Declines to Recommend CMD for Hindustan Shipyard; Ministry May Extend Current Chief’s Tenure
IAS Ajitabh Sharma
“80% of Time Spent on Non-Core Tasks”: Rajasthan Principal Secretary Ajitabh Sharma Questions IAS Work Culture, Calls for Reform
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-25 at 5.07
Former Diplomat Ashok Sajjanhar
WhatsApp Image 2025-06-23 at 12.39
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT