Economy
Economy of Chhattisgarh has rapidly grown in recent years. Chhattisgarh recorded a high GDP growth of 7.35% from 2004-05 to 2008-09. More than 80 per cent population depends on agriculture. The area under cultivation is 43 per cent. Main crops are paddy, wheat, maize, groundnut, pulses and oilseeds. Chhattisgarh is also called "Rice bowl of india". Chhattisgarh has also very good irrigation systems with Dams and canals on different rivers.
Forests occupy 41.33 per cent(as per the latest FSI report) of the area and has rich forest resources i.e. Wood, Tandu leaves, Honey and lac.
Chhattisgarh is rich in mineral resources. Twenty per cent of the country's steel and cement is produced in the State. Iron-ore, limestone, dolomite, coal, bauxite are found in abundance. It is the only tin-ore producing state in the country. Other minerals such as korandum, garnet, quartz, marble, diamond are also found in Chhattisgarh.
State has private and state owned industries, which are significant part of states economy. Bhilai steel plant and NTPC are some of state owned industry. Balco (sterlite industry), Lafarge and Jindal steel are some of big private industry in the state.
Tourism in Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh, situated in the heart of India, is endowed with a rich cultural heritage and attractive natural diversity. The State is full of ancient monuments, rare wildlife, exquisitely carved temples, Buddhist sites, palaces, water falls, caves, rock paintings and hill plateaus. Most of these sites are untouched and unexplored and offer a unique and alternate experience to tourists compared to traditional destinations which have become overcrowded. Chhattisgarh offers the tourist a Destination with a Difference. For those who are tired of the crowds at major destinations, Bastar district, with its unique cultural and ecological identity, will come as a breath of fresh air. The Green State of Chhattisgarh has 41.33% of its area under forests, and is one of the richest bio-diversity areas in the country.
There are a variety of tourist places in Chhattisgarh most of which lies virtually unexplored. The unspoilt green forests, dotted with picturesque waterfalls, scenic plateaus and winding rivers offer a feast to eyes. The caves and forts of a forgotten era add to the variety of tourist attractions in Chhattisgarh. Myriads of wild liveshide in the forests of Chhattisgarh, which occupy a huge 42% of the state's land surface. Last but not the least important to mention is the lure of exotic tribal life.
We brings here some tourist places in Chhattisgarh:
We brings here some tourist places in Chhattisgarh:
- Kawardha: The small age-old town of Kawardha is a tranquil retreat offering breathtaking views of nature and a rich tribal life. The royal palace introduces you to some finer glimpses of Indian royalty.
- Chitrakote Falls: Deep in the heart of Bastar forest, this enormous waterfall plunges down from a height of 100 feet.
- Kanker: This thousand year old town offers a splendid combination of forest, waterfalls and exquisite tribal villages nestled inside. Here is an old palace still resided by the royal family of the area, which itself is one of the major tourist attractions in Chhattisgarh.
- Bhoramdeo: It is often referred to as the Khajuraho of Chhattisgarh because of its beautifully carved erotic sculptures.
- Chamaparan: The erstwhile Champaranya was the birthplace of Saint Vallabhacharya. The place is famous for his birth anniversary sometime in April-May and an annual fair sometime in Jan-Feb.
Airports in Chhattisgarh
Other Airstrips in Chhattisgarh
§ Nandini Airport, Bhilai
§ Baikunth Airstrip, Baikunth
§ Kondatarai Airstrip, Raigarh
§ JSPL’s Airstrip, Raigarh
§ Darima Airstrip, Ambikapur
§ Korba Airstrip, Korba
§ Agdih Airstrip, Jashpur
§ Dondi Airstrip, Dondi, Durg
Culture
The state hosts religious sects including Satnami Panth, Kabirpanth, Ramnami Samaj, and others. Champaran (Chhattisgarh) is a small town with religious significance as the birth place of the Saint Vallabhacharya, increasingly important as a pilgrimage site for the Gujarati community.
Crafts
Chattisgarh is known for Kosa silk. Besides saris and salwar suits, the fabric is used to create lehengas, stoles, shawls and menswear including jackets, shirts, achkans and sherwanis.
Dance
Panthi, Raut Nacha "Karma" and Soowa dance styles are popular in the region.
Raut Nacha, the folk dance of cowherds, is a traditional folk dance of yadavs/yaduvanshis as symbol of worship to Krishna at the time of 'dev udhni ekadashi' (the awakening of the gods after a brief rest) according to the Hindu calendar. The dance closely resembles Krishna's dance with the gopis (milkmaids).
Panthi, the folk dance of the Satnami community has religious overtones. Panthi is performed on Maghi Purnima, the anniversary of the birth of Guru Ghasidas. The dancers dance around a jaitkhamb set up for the occasion, to songs eulogizing their spiritual head. The songs reflect a view of Nirvana, conveying the spirit of their guru's renunciation and the teachings of saint poets likeKabir, Ramdas and Dadu. Dancers with bent torsos and swinging arms dance, carried away by their devotion. As the rhythm quickens, they perform acrobatics and form human pyramids.
Music
Chhattisgarh has rich traditional folk songs among which sohar, bihav & Pathoni songs are famous.
Sohar songs are related to child birth. Bihav songs are related to marriage celebration. The main parts of Bihav songs are Chulmati, Telmati, Maymouri, Nahdouri, Parghani, Bhadoni and other songs related to Bhanver, Vidai songs.
Pathoni songs are related to Gouna that is, the departure of a bride to the bridegroom's home.
Pandavani is a well-known ballad musical narrative, essentially based on the stories in the epicMahabharata, but with Bhima as hero. Teejan Bai is the internationally acclaimed Pandavani artist, who was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2003 for her contribution to Pandavani. Ritu Verma is also well known [7].
There is a growing presence of Chhattisgarhi music and other cultural material on the web [8]. The song 'Sasural Genda Phool' in the Hindi film Delhi-6 is based on a folk song from Chhattisgarh.
