People Web International

By PWI Reporter Central India

The Bastar District in Chattisgarh is also known as the “Kashmir Of Central India.”

Home to various tribes like the Gonds, Marias, Abhay Murias, etc, the facets of tribal life are witnessed in varied forms, in places like the Kanger Valley National Park and Jagdalpur.

There are Bastar Tribal Tour Packages devised by the tourism department. The tribal communities are heterogenous and they live in groups in well defined territories. Agriculture and forestry are their main sources of income.

The Halba tribes are farmers, the Marias are the hill experts; the Bhatras are the advanced tribes, the Dholars the cow farmers and the Dhruvas the warriors. Singing and dancing are their way of life and they are by and large uneducated.

Though the socio economic status of the tribals is below the national standard, the government is trying hard to alleviate their lot by promoting tribal crafts. Middlemen eating into the profits are making the overall recovery process slow. Though the pro poor schemes have not reached the tribals, the tribal products are finding their way in international markets, and there is a ray of hope.

Overall Bastar provides the streak of irresistible adventure for the tourist, and travelling to this area is an immense pleasure.

Contact: central.india@peoplewebinternational.com