The development of Ethnic Tourist Village at Chitrakote and Kurdar will soon start in Chhattisgarh, officials informed.
The Central Government has put up the anticipated timeline for completion of the Tribal Tourism Circuit in Chhattisgarh to be 2019-20.
The Tribal Tourism Circuit will provide an opportunity to the tourists to witness and experience tribal culture and traditions in Chhattisgarh, officials informed.
The key components for development under the project are ‘Ethnic Tourist Village’ and ‘Ethnic Tourist Development’, Destination Development and Wayside amenities.
The project would be developed by Chhattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB).
The Tribal Tourism Circuit comprises Jashpur-Kunkuri-Mainpat- Ambikapur-Maheshpur -Ratanpur-Kurdar-Sarodadadar Gangrel- Kondagaon –Nathyanawagaon -Jagdalpur Chitrakoot -Tirthgarh in Chhattisgarh under Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Notably, the Central Government has approved Rs 99.94 crore based on a Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted by CTB for development of the Tribal Tourism Circuit in the State under ‘Swadesh Darshan’ package.
The approval was given in a Secretary-level meeting held in New Delhi, officials stated.
The objective of forming the tourism circuit is to highlight rich and ancient tribal culture and environment of Chhattisgarh’s tribal dominated regions.
In this circuit, Jashpur, Ambikapur and Sarodhadadar would be developed as ethnic tourist village and Mainpat, Kurdur, Gangrel, Kondagaon, Jagdalpur, Chitrakoot and Teerathgarh are to be developed for eco-ethnic tourism while work for sight amenities will be carried out in Kunkuri, Maheshpur and Nathiyanawagaon.
With an objective to take tourism in Chhattisgarh to the next level, the Chhattisgarh government is also planning to take a series of initiatives for developing ‘Highway Tourism’ in the State.
As many as 7777 foreign tourists visited Chhattisgarh during financial year 2014-15, as per latest data released by the Central government.
The number of foreign tourist visits were 4172 in 2012 and 3886 in 2013.
The Union Ministry of Tourism compiles the data of foreign exchange earned through foreign tourists. The Ministry does not compile the data of earnings through domestic tourists. The Foreign Exchange Earnings (provisional) through Tourism in India during 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were Rs .94,487 crore, Rs 1,07,671 crore, Rs .1,23,320 crore, and Rs .1,35,193 crore, respectively.
Meanwhile, Culture and Tourism Minister Dayaldas Baghel on Monday informed that on the occasion of ‘World Tribal Day’, 'Aamcho Bastar' Exhibition’ will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Raman Singh on Tuesday (August 9) at Purkhauti Muktangan premises of village Uparwara of Naya Raipur.
The inaugural ceremony will be attended by Minister, MPs, MlAs, State Youth Commission Chairman, District Panchayat Raipur President and Panch-Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Uparwara were also present.
Baghel informed that Aamcho Bastar is an undertaking to exhibit developed Bastar block in Purkhauti Muktangan, reflecting the socio-cultural diversity of Chhattisgarh.
Under this, way of living of various tribes has been showcased. Aamcho Bastar has been constructed with the help of tribal, folk craftsmen and artists of Bastar region, where Sing, Devdi, Dhurwa Holek, Muriya lon, Koya lon, Jatra, Abujhmadiya lon, Ghanasar, Gunsi Raodev, Budhi Mai, Matagudi, Ghotul, Phoolasth, Bastar Dussehra, Narayar Mandir, Ganesh Vigrah, Rao Dev, Dolkal Ganesh, Polang Matta, Ursukaal has been exhibited.