This small village in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar just made it to the UN’s list of potential tourism picks

Dhudmaras is situated in the heart of Kanger Valley National Park. Nestled in dense forests with the Kanger River flowing through it, Dhudmaras offers an idyllic setting for eco-tourism. It is known for its natural beauty, biodiversity, traditional lifestyle, and local cuisine.

“Dhudmaras was selected from more than 260 applications from more than 60 countries for the Upgrade programme because of a clear demonstration of its cultural and natural richness and high potential to become an outstanding example as a top-tier rural destination,” said Vivek Acharya, MD of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board.

Earlier this year, the Union Ministry of Tourism had awarded four villages, including Dhudmaras, in the Adventure Tourism category of the Best Tourism Village competition.

With an eye on boosting tourism, the Chhattisgarh government has been improving roads and transport facilities in the area, as well as promoting local handicrafts in global markets.

Residents of Dhudmaras offer homestays and other accommodation facilities, and also serve as guides, showing tourists around the area as well as offering traditional food, camping, trekking, and bird watching.

New initiatives are also expanding the range of activities available to visitors.

Empowered by Tourism and Forest Departments through training and capacity building, younger members from 40 families of the local Dhurwa Tribe offer kayaking, bamboo rafting and trekking activities. There are also home stays where tourists are introduced to traditional ways of tribal life, crafts and festivals.

The government has been encouraging the use of locally available natural resources to build things like bamboo rafts, bamboo-made dustbins, mud houses, and leaf platters.