tribal money-bastar
Plastic money all set to enter tribal Bastar
BASTAR, Dec 2/2003
Plastic money is all set to enter the remote and tribal-dominated, Naxalite-infested region of Chhattisgarh which is known for its natural beauty and unique cultural diversity.
A nationalised bank has carried out surveys in Jagdalpur, the most advanced town of the region, and in the next few months will launch facilities like Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). In future, credit cards will also be accepted here thus boosting the tourism potential of the region.
The wood craft, bell metal and wrought iron work, the red ant ‘chutney’, cock-fights, local brew — ‘salfi’ and ‘landa’, amazing food, lush forests of sal, teak, Sirsa and Tamarind, the wildlife including rare wild bufallo, hill mynah, leopards and tigers — had already placed Bastar in the international map.
Spread over an area of 39,114 Sq Kms, Bastar comprising three districts is even bigger than states like Kerala and Haryana. Though the tribals with their fascinating lifestyles and perfect artistry are high-interest points, the USP here is nature and simplicity of the natives.
Tourists define Bastar as an exubrance of breathtaking waterfalls, gurgling rivers and streams and greenery at its best, deep caves and the high point is the lifestyle of the remotest corner of the country.
Bastar Collector Shailesh Pathak told this visiting UNI correspondent that the unique feature of the region is the forest cover which is between 80 to 90 per cent. "The toursim potential is unique. There is a bit of everything in the vast district —mystical, mythical, historical and natural," he said.
But Naxalites are casting their dark shadow in the region which borders Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. But there are no reasons to worry, says Inspector-General (Bastar range) Sant Kumar Paswan. "The administration is very strict on the Naxalite issue. The police is always on alert and attempts by the outlawed groups like peoples’ war are being foiled by us," he added.
"The weekly fairs are the heart of village economies and the bigger villages attract locals from as far as over 20 Kms," says a local scribe Pallav Ghosh. "There is tremendous potential in Bastar and the local people here are simple. Once a person comes here he falls in love with the place," he adds.
Chhatisgarh Tourism Board Officials said that some of the finest works of Bastar crafts are showcased in some of India’s five star hotel lobbies and upmarket urban stores.
The Harrapan and Indus Valley flavour of Bastar’s handicrafts heightens their appeal amongst the tourists. Kondegaon, Narayanpur and Jagdalpur are famous for their terracota crafts such as elephant bells and a selection of decorative pots and tabletop items. Jagdalpur is famous for ‘kosa’ silk weaving.
Bell metal and wrought iron work is the speciality of Kondagaon and Jagdalpur. Wood and bamboo work are best seen at Narayanpur and Jagdalpur. Memorial stones are one of Bastar’s oldest craft. One can pick up lovely souveniers at Shilpgram or Narayanpur’s Handicraft Centre.
The inmates of the central prison at Jagdalpur are also promoting the local art in a unique way. Jail Superintendent P D Verma, talking to UNI said that the local art is being promoted by the jail inmates in a big way and this has been appreciated throughout the country. In just one year of Mr Verma’s taking over, the income from sales of these items had gone upto Rs 22 lakh from Rs five lakh of the previous year.
Tribals comprise more than 70 per cent of Bastar’s population and each tribe has their own style, dieties and food habits. The Bastar tribals are the oldest tribal community in India and one of the oldest in the world and the place is an anthropologist’s haven.
Bastar is a nature lover’s paradise with vast tracts of paddy fields, trackless vistas of virgin forest and a dazzling range of flora and fauna, rivers and ancient caves and several waterfalls. The botanist’s delight is Kanger Valley National Park and there is a proposal to convert it into a biosphere reserve.
The stalagmite and stalacite formations of Kutumsar caves, Kailash cave and Dandak cave are popular attractions. The translucent cascades of Tirathgarh waterfalls from a height of 100 Ft are a great draw with picknickers and honeymooners. The Chitrakote falls on the streach of Indravati river reminds one of the Niagara falls.
A tourist’s visit to Bastar could not be complete without visiting the sericulture farm and the anthropological museum —which reflects Bastar’s culture. (UNI)
BASTAR, Dec 2/2003
Plastic money is all set to enter the remote and tribal-dominated, Naxalite-infested region of Chhattisgarh which is known for its natural beauty and unique cultural diversity.
A nationalised bank has carried out surveys in Jagdalpur, the most advanced town of the region, and in the next few months will launch facilities like Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs). In future, credit cards will also be accepted here thus boosting the tourism potential of the region.
The wood craft, bell metal and wrought iron work, the red ant ‘chutney’, cock-fights, local brew — ‘salfi’ and ‘landa’, amazing food, lush forests of sal, teak, Sirsa and Tamarind, the wildlife including rare wild bufallo, hill mynah, leopards and tigers — had already placed Bastar in the international map.
Spread over an area of 39,114 Sq Kms, Bastar comprising three districts is even bigger than states like Kerala and Haryana. Though the tribals with their fascinating lifestyles and perfect artistry are high-interest points, the USP here is nature and simplicity of the natives.
Tourists define Bastar as an exubrance of breathtaking waterfalls, gurgling rivers and streams and greenery at its best, deep caves and the high point is the lifestyle of the remotest corner of the country.
Bastar Collector Shailesh Pathak told this visiting UNI correspondent that the unique feature of the region is the forest cover which is between 80 to 90 per cent. "The toursim potential is unique. There is a bit of everything in the vast district —mystical, mythical, historical and natural," he said.
But Naxalites are casting their dark shadow in the region which borders Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. But there are no reasons to worry, says Inspector-General (Bastar range) Sant Kumar Paswan. "The administration is very strict on the Naxalite issue. The police is always on alert and attempts by the outlawed groups like peoples’ war are being foiled by us," he added.
"The weekly fairs are the heart of village economies and the bigger villages attract locals from as far as over 20 Kms," says a local scribe Pallav Ghosh. "There is tremendous potential in Bastar and the local people here are simple. Once a person comes here he falls in love with the place," he adds.
Chhatisgarh Tourism Board Officials said that some of the finest works of Bastar crafts are showcased in some of India’s five star hotel lobbies and upmarket urban stores.
The Harrapan and Indus Valley flavour of Bastar’s handicrafts heightens their appeal amongst the tourists. Kondegaon, Narayanpur and Jagdalpur are famous for their terracota crafts such as elephant bells and a selection of decorative pots and tabletop items. Jagdalpur is famous for ‘kosa’ silk weaving.
Bell metal and wrought iron work is the speciality of Kondagaon and Jagdalpur. Wood and bamboo work are best seen at Narayanpur and Jagdalpur. Memorial stones are one of Bastar’s oldest craft. One can pick up lovely souveniers at Shilpgram or Narayanpur’s Handicraft Centre.
The inmates of the central prison at Jagdalpur are also promoting the local art in a unique way. Jail Superintendent P D Verma, talking to UNI said that the local art is being promoted by the jail inmates in a big way and this has been appreciated throughout the country. In just one year of Mr Verma’s taking over, the income from sales of these items had gone upto Rs 22 lakh from Rs five lakh of the previous year.
Tribals comprise more than 70 per cent of Bastar’s population and each tribe has their own style, dieties and food habits. The Bastar tribals are the oldest tribal community in India and one of the oldest in the world and the place is an anthropologist’s haven.
Bastar is a nature lover’s paradise with vast tracts of paddy fields, trackless vistas of virgin forest and a dazzling range of flora and fauna, rivers and ancient caves and several waterfalls. The botanist’s delight is Kanger Valley National Park and there is a proposal to convert it into a biosphere reserve.
The stalagmite and stalacite formations of Kutumsar caves, Kailash cave and Dandak cave are popular attractions. The translucent cascades of Tirathgarh waterfalls from a height of 100 Ft are a great draw with picknickers and honeymooners. The Chitrakote falls on the streach of Indravati river reminds one of the Niagara falls.
A tourist’s visit to Bastar could not be complete without visiting the sericulture farm and the anthropological museum —which reflects Bastar’s culture. (UNI)
Comments
This Divine Land of Bastar is enriched with natural beauty which makes it a
paradise for tourists.The deep forest area between bushes and bamboos where one
always feel the absence of sunlight, wide and thick forests, between high
mountains cool flowing streams, There are so many places which are worth
seeing, not only in Bastar district, but also in the neighbouring districts of
Dantewada and Kanker, which are in Bastar division.
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