Chhattisgarh, situated in the heart of India, is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and attractive natural diversity. The State is full of ancient monuments, rare wildlife, exquisitely carved temples, Buddhist sites, palaces, water falls, caves, rock paintings and hill plateaus.

Most of these sites are untouched and unexplored and offer a unique and alternate experience to tourists compared to traditional destinations which have become overcrowded. Chhattisgarh offers the tourist a Destination with a Difference.

For those who are tired of the crowds at major destinations, Bastar, with its unique cultural and ecological identity, will come as a breath of fresh air. The Green State of Chhattisgarh has 44% of its area under forests, and is one of the richest bio-diversity areas in the country.

The State has taken a conscious decision to do away with past legacies and to adopt a fresh approach to Tourism Development. The Tourism Policy is focussed on creating a unique image for the State and to position it as an attractive destination for both domestic as well as foreign tourists. Some major objectives of this policy are :

- To promote economically, culturally and ecologically sustainable tourism in the State.

- Encourage and promote private sector initiatives in developing tourism-related infrastructure

- Limit the role of Government to that of facilitator and provider of public goods

- Increase the contribution of tourism to the economic development of inter- related sectors

- To harness the true potential of tourism, it is necessary to undertake large-scale development / improvement of infrastructure and create a conducive investment climate. Accordingly, the State will take up Integrated Development of Special Tourism Areas and have constructive collaboration with the Private Sector. Tourism development will be primarily driven by the private sector with the role of Government being that of a facilitator and catalyst. Towards this end, the State has set up a State Tourism Promotion Board as the nodal agency for translation of the Policy into action for the sustained development of the sector.

Quick Information

Formed in
November 1, 2000, as India's 26 th state, carved out of Madhya Pradesh.

Location
Central India.

Area
135,133 sq km (45% densely forested)

Population
20,795,956

Literacy
65%

Capital
Raipur.

Major Cities
Raipur, Durg-Bhilai (twin cities), Bilaspur, Rajnandgaon, Korba, Raigarh, Jagdalpur.

Important Rivers
Mahanadi, Indravati, Shivnath, Hansdeo, Arpa, Pairi, Kharoon, Maniyari Jonk, Shabri, Dankini-Shankini, Mand, Tandula, Ib, Kotri.

Waterfalls
Chitrakote, Tirathgarh, Kanger, Gupteshwar, Malajkundam, Saat Dhara, Ranidah, Rajpuri, Kendai, Tata Pani, Damera Tamda Ghumar, Mendri Ghumar.

Crops
Rice, Sugarcane, Banana, Pulses, Wheat .

Languages
Hindi, Local dialects.

Religions
Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Tribal.