Dhudmaras village of Bastar made its place in the world tourism map
Village Dhudmaras selected for the best tourism village upgradation program by the United Nations World Tourism Organization
Raipur, 16 November 2024: Dhudmaras, a small village in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, has made its unique identity in the country and the world. Dhudmaras village located in Kanger Valley National Park of Bastar district has been selected by the United Nations World Tourism Organization for the best tourism village upgradation program. Dhudmaras of Chhattisgarh state of India has also made its place among the 20 villages selected from 60 countries for the United Nations Tourism Village Upgradation Program.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has congratulated the team of Tourism Department as well as the officers and employees of Bastar District Administration and Kanger Valley National Park for this achievement. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said that the main credit for the success of Dhudmaras goes to the local residents, who have preserved their traditional knowledge and resources and turned it into an attractive tourist destination. Dhudmaras is famous for natural beauty, cultural diversity and traditions. This village, rich in the wonderful tribal lifestyle of Bastar, traditional cuisine, greenery and biodiversity, is not only an attractive but also an exciting place for tourists.
Dhudmaras village is one of the 20 villages from all over the world that have been selected to participate in the Best Tourism Village Upgradation Program. Dhudmaras has been selected due to its unique cultural heritage, natural beauty and potential for sustainable tourism development. By joining the upgradation program, the village will get access to resources that will help in enhancing its tourism infrastructure, promoting cultural assets and improving the quality of life of the villagers. The recognition of this village as a tourist village at the global level also means that after a long time the number of international tourists in Bastar has increased. It is noteworthy that Dhudmaras and Chitrakot village of Bastar received the Best Tourist Village Award by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India on the occasion of World Tourism Day on 27 September this year.
Dhudmaras village, located in the lap of nature, is surrounded by dense forests. The Kanger river flowing through the village makes it charming. The people of Bastar are known for their hospitality. This is the reason why local people are making their homes available for tourists, providing accommodation facilities is giving them employment. The youth of the village take tourists on a tour of the surrounding areas. Under the local food, traditional dishes of Bastar are served to the tourists.
The state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai is taking initiatives to promote eco-friendly tourism in Bastar by developing new trekking trails and camping sites, as well as providing access to home-stays. It is also encouraging local craftsmen and artists, so that the villagers living in the area can get employment at the local level and their income can increase. The state government is also focusing on the development of roads and transport facilities in the area to attract tourists. To get the tourist places of Bastar recognized at the global level, extensive publicity is being done to attract international tourists along with the tourists of the country. At the same time, efforts are being made to take the local handicrafts and art to the global market.
The Forest and Tourism Department of the Chhattisgarh government has played an important role in developing Dhudmaras as an eco-tourism destination. Now in Nagalsar and Netanar of the district, the Eco Tourism Development Committee of the local youth is providing the facility of kayaking and bamboo rafting to the tourists in the Shabri and Kanger rivers flowing in the village. Along with this, tourists are getting a taste of the traditional food of Bastar with local cuisine.
The Eco Tourism Development Committee of the youth of the village provides the facilities of kayaking and bamboo rafting to the tourists in the Kanger river, due to which this committee is getting good income. This tourism committee is now developing basic facilities like waiting room and toilets for tourists in the village from its income.
The story of Best Tourism Village Dhudmaras proves that when there is community participation and government support, economic and cultural development is possible even in rural areas. This village has now become an inspiration for other villages of Bastar. This is the reason why eco-tourism is also being promoted in Nagalsar and Netanar of Kanger Valley National Park.
