Chhattisgarh forest area turning into tourism attractions

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Among the major waterfalls in Chhattisgarh forest are Kodakal (Kuyemari), Katulkasa (Honhed), Haathikudum (Nalajhar) and Lingodhara (Limdhara), and each of them has a unique shape, height and size
Majority of these waterfalls were unexplored till some time back.

Tribals living in remote villages of the pristine forest, bordered by hills and covered with Sal trees, which werenotorious for Naxal activities, never imagined that these natural water bodies would make the place a sought-after tourist destination and serve as a means of livelihood for them.

“Bastar is full of natural beauty. People normally visit Chitrakote, the majestic waterfall located in neighboring Bastar district, popularly called the Niagara of India, but other areas like Keshkal are yet to be explored from the tourism point of view,” said local villager Deepak Netam.

Last year, the initiative taken by the local administration for boosting tourism involving local tribal communities has now started to show results.

Mr. Netamcomes from Honhed village, located about 15 kms from Keshkal, where the sound of ‘Katulkasa’ waterfall can be heard from quite a distance.

“Earlier, the mere mention of the Keshkal forest would bring up images of Maoist violence, but the impression is gradually changing now,” said Kondagaon Collector Pushpendra Kumar Meena.

Kondagaon is known as the ‘ShilpNagri’ for its handicraft artists, and soon it will be known as the ‘land of waterfalls.’

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