The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB) is registering a special presence in the International Book Fair being held in Cochin, Kerala.
The move is to promote Chhattisgarh’s tourist destinations using its rich folk culture. The CTB is also holding cultural programmes at the fair, officials informed.The fair has participation of the Chhattisgarhi Folk Art group ‘Maya Ke Sandesh’ which is performing folk dances besides showcasing other folk customs of the State at the fair.
Incidentally Chhattisgarh has also been selected as the ‘Theme State’ at Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2015.The Surajkund International Crafts Mela is India’s marquee fair that showcases the vibrancy of India’s cultural fabric to the world and hosts more than ten lakh visitors every year that includes more than six lakh foreign tourists.At the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, where representatives from various States showcase their cultural heritage, Chhattisgarh will proudly present its diverse art and crafts and will introduce unrevealed tribal culture and traditions to the world.
At the Mela, the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB) will showcase artefacts of metal and wood, along with diverse works of art in bell metal (Dokra) and terracotta. The presentation will also feature Kosa Silk Sarees and clay murals which are amongst the most specialised art forms of Chhattisgarh.Domestic and foreign visitors to the forthcoming ‘Surajkund International Crafts Fair’ in Haryana would get an opportunity to savour Chhattisgarhi cuisine in a food stall to be established by the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB) at the venue.
Moreover, besides promoting the various tourist destinations of Chhattisgarh, the CTB would also showcase the cultural and traditional cuisines of the State.Notably, the Chhattisgarh Handicrafts Development Board will look after the theme-based decoration of area allotted at the exhibition venue.The Board, in association with the Exhibition Authority, will erect a permanent gate there at the exhibition venue. This gate will symbolise the historical, religious and other important monuments of Chhattisgarh.
The Handicraft and Matikala Board will select a traditional family of Chhattisgarh for their presence in the exhibition.The Chhattisgarh Handloom Development Board will also organise a fashion show, based on the theme – ‘Handloom, art, culture and traditions of Chhattisgarh’.The Directorate of Culture will select artists to present the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh at the international fair.Special cultural performances will be staged on the inaugural and concluding programme of the exhibition. The Directorate of Archaeology will prepare replication of important monuments in Chhattisgarh State. likewise, the Forest Department will put up a stall of forest-based medicines at the venue.
The CTB has also drawn up ambitious plans to develop India’s biggest ‘Eco-tourism hub’ in the State.It has already received a Rs113.5 crore project prioritisation go ahead from the Union Ministry of Tourism to take its plans forward.The CTB, under the aegis of the Chhattisgarh Government has created a blue-print of future tourism plans that will help establish Chhattisgarh as India’s biggest ‘Eco-Tourism hub.’
Based on the fact that Chhattisgarh is blessed with 80% bio-diversity and a melange of natural abundance tops in natural tourism where three national parks, 11 wildlife sanctuaries, more than 30 significant waterfalls, abundant caves and untouched natural topography , the CTB seeks to promote tourism in the State at an international level through its ambitious future plans.
State Minister for Culture and Tourism, Ajay Chandrakar, had remarked : “Chhattisgarh is a vibrant State which now looks forward towards developing tourism as one of its richest assets. Based on quality plans and forward looking measures, our aim is to take tourism in Chhattisgarh to millions of national and international tourists while grooming the State in welcoming new tourist arrivals.’
Once implemented, the go-getting tourism development plans will help in developing the essential eco-tourism in the area, and will enable Chhattisgarh build up as India’s biggest eco-tourism hub, one with probably the biggest potential in South-East Asia, he said.last month, the Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma assured that the Central Government will encourage publicity of Tourism and Culture in Chhattisgarh besides support in overcoming Naxalism in the State.
The assurance was given by Sharma in a meeting with Chhattisgarh Tourism and Culture Minister Ajay Chandrakar in New Delhi.Sharma expressed interest in development of tourist facilities at Sirpur, Chitrakot, Teerathgarh and Kutumsar cave.He also expressed interest in the State Government’s proposal for establishment of Multi Arts Chhattisgarh Kala Kendra and Swami Vivekanand International Award.Sharma said that he will visit Chhattisgarh in few months and review the tourist spots.Chandrakar informed him about tourist attractions in Chhattisgarh and said that the State has astonishing tourist spots but it has not received desired cooperation from the Central Government’s Tourism Department for widespread publicity.
He said that Sirpur, Chitrakot and biodiversity of the State needs to be promoted globally and requested the Union Minister to provide an opportunity to the folk artists of Chhattisgarh to display their art at national and international platforms.Chandrakar also gave a proposal for organising international tribal festival in Chhattisgarh in 2015.
He said that more than 32 per cent of the population of the State is tribal dominated and organising tribal festivals will help in preserving their spectacular and diverse culture besides providing opportunity to exchange ideas and cultures with other tribal people of the country.He also requested for including famous Archeological site Sirpur in the Buddha circuit and for providing assistance in organizing and publicity of ‘Sirpur Mahotsava’.
In the meeting he also requested for cooperation in lighting arrangement, up gradation of hotel and motel besides starting the hotel management Institute at Chitrakot.Chandrakar also gave proposals for widespread publicity of Bastar Dussehra, Chitrakot waterfall, Kutumsar cave and Kanger valley national park.