Journalists returning from Leh-Ladakh study tour paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Shri Sai

There is a need to introduce the world to the natural beauty, rich tribal culture and untouched tourist destinations of Chhattisgarh: Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai

Bastar is emerging from the shadow of Naxalism and creating a new identity of peace, development and tourism.

Expansion of tourism will open up new employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth.

Raipur, August 2026/Bastar in Chhattisgarh, endowed with natural beauty, rich tribal culture, and amazing biodiversity, has immense tourism potential. For a long time, due to Naxalism, Bastar's national identity was not in keeping with its true beauty and cultural richness. Now, the situation has changed rapidly, and Bastar is ready to move forward with a new identity of peace, trust, development, and tourism. The media can play an important role in spreading this changing image of Bastar to the nation and the world. Chief Minister Shri Sai said this today during a courtesy meeting with journalists returning from a study and exposure visit to Leh-Ladakh at the Chief Minister's residence in the capital, Raipur.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai held a cordial conversation with journalists regarding their experiences during their study tours and discussed the role of media in tourism development.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that Bastar is a unique gift of nature. Its dense forests, picturesque waterfalls, rivers, mountains, and caves are as attractive as its tribal culture, traditions, folk art, handicrafts, food, and lifestyle. Each region of Bastar holds a unique story of nature and culture. The need is to effectively showcase these characteristics of Bastar on the national and international tourism map.

He said that over the past four decades, Bastar's name has appeared in the national media mostly in the context of Naxalism and violence. This has left Bastar's true identity behind. Now, decisive success against Naxalism and the emerging atmosphere of peace in the region have opened new doors for Bastar's development. With the expansion of roads, communications, education, health, and other infrastructure, new possibilities are also emerging in the tourism sector.

Chief Minister Shri Sai told reporters that all of you are familiar with the true beauty of Bastar and the changes taking place there. When positive stories about Bastar's natural beauty, culture, and tourist destinations are brought to the nation through the national media, people's perception of Bastar will also change. He said that it should be the endeavor of all of us to make Bastar known not for Naxalism, but for its nature, culture, tourism, and development.

Chief Minister Shri Sai said that tourism is not only a means of enhancing a region's identity, but also a major pillar of strengthening the local economy. Increased tourism in Bastar will create employment and self-employment opportunities in numerous sectors, including hotels, homestays, transportation, local food, handicrafts, and guide services. Local youth and women, in particular, will directly benefit. Tourism will also provide a greater market for Bastar's handicrafts, forest produce, and local products.

Referring to Leh-Ladakh, Chief Minister Shri Sai said that well-organized tourism in areas with natural and geographical uniqueness can bring about a major transformation in the local economy. During the study tour, the journalists closely observed various aspects of tourism management, local culture, environmental protection, and tourism-based livelihoods.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to ensuring lasting peace and development in Bastar, as well as expanding tourism potential. Our endeavor is to ensure that tourists from across the country and the world fearlessly visit Bastar, witness its natural beauty and unique culture up close, and return with the experience of a new and changing Bastar.