A new initiative to promote sustainable tourism, strengthen green livelihoods, and empower rural youth in Dantewada
Raipur (Economy India); Chhattisgarh is steering toward a new era of eco-tourism and green livelihood generation. In a remarkable step to combine environmental conservation with rural empowerment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap inaugurated the ‘Bamboo Rafting’ activity at Kumharras Dam in Dantewada district on Friday.
The initiative aims to promote sustainable tourism practices while creating livelihood opportunities for local communities. Minister Kashyap personally participated in the activity by taking a ride on a bamboo raft, symbolizing harmony between nature, tradition, and modern tourism development.
Eco-Tourism as a Vehicle for Sustainable Growth
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Kedar Kashyap said that initiatives like Bamboo Rafting will not only strengthen the tourism landscape of Chhattisgarh but will also open up new sources of income for villagers and local youth.
“Bamboo is a symbol of our green economy and biodiversity. Through this initiative, we are blending eco-tourism with sustainability to ensure both environmental conservation and livelihood development,”
said Minister Kashyap.
He emphasized that the state government is committed to promoting eco-friendly tourism models that preserve the state’s rich natural heritage while contributing to the rural economy.
Empowering Local Communities and Youth
Under this initiative, the government plans to provide training programs for local youth in the areas of bamboo-based product design, manufacturing, and marketing. The aim is to develop a self-sustaining ecosystem where bamboo craftsmanship and eco-tourism coexist, creating a new model of rural entrepreneurship.
The bamboo rafting project is expected to attract eco-tourists and adventure enthusiasts, particularly in the tribal-dominated regions of Dantewada, while ensuring that the economic benefits directly reach the local population.
“This is not just about tourism—it’s about empowering our people. When locals become stakeholders in eco-tourism, the model becomes sustainable and self-reliant,”
Minister Kashyap added.
Community Participation and Local Leadership
The event was attended by several prominent leaders including MLA Chaitram Atami, District Panchayat President Nandlal Mudami, and a large gathering of villagers, departmental officials, and local representatives. The leaders interacted with the villagers, urging them to actively participate in eco-tourism-based livelihood programs being introduced in the region.
Local communities expressed enthusiasm for the new initiative, viewing it as an opportunity to showcase Dantewada’s natural beauty and traditional craftsmanship to visitors from across the country.
Chhattisgarh’s Vision for Eco-Tourism
The Chhattisgarh government has been increasingly focusing on eco-tourism, sustainable forestry, and climate-smart development. With abundant natural resources, scenic landscapes, and diverse tribal cultures, the state has immense potential to become a leading eco-tourism hub in India.
Projects like bamboo rafting at Kumharras Dam are part of a larger strategy to align tourism with the state’s green growth mission, ensuring ecological balance and livelihood opportunities simultaneously.
“Eco-tourism is not just recreation—it is a movement toward reconnecting humans with nature,”
noted an official from the Forest Department present at the event.
A Step Toward Sustainable and Inclusive Development
The initiative also supports the government’s broader goals under Mission Green Chhattisgarh, which aims to integrate conservation, employment generation, and local entrepreneurship. By leveraging bamboo — known as “green gold” — the state is building pathways for carbon-neutral tourism and sustainable livelihoods.
The Forest Department’s eco-tourism policy envisions community-owned tourism projects that are environmentally responsible and economically inclusive, ensuring that development reaches even the remotest corners of the state.
(Economy India)
