Major gift of tourism development for Jashpur under Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0 Development of modern tourist facilities including home-stays, resorts, pathways, landscaping will be done Raipur, February 05, 2026/ Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the Mayali-Bagicha development project, approved under sub-scheme CBDD of the Government of India’s Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0, at Mayali Nature Camp. This project, to be implemented at a cost of approximately 10 crore rupees, will develop various tourist facilities in Mayali, the world-famous Madhveshwar mountain (world’s largest natural Shiva Linga), and the Kailash Gufa area in Bagicha. This project will strengthen community-based tourism along with the conservation of the region’s natural, cultural, and tribal heritage. This will create new employment opportunities for local youth and give Jashpur district a new identity as a major tourist destination. On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Sai congratulated the residents of the area and said that the Mayali-Bagicha development project is a historic initiative for the tourism development of Jashpur district. A strong foundation for Mayali’s development has been laid today. Mayali is rapidly emerging on the tourism map and will develop as a global tourism hub in the coming times. The Chief Minister said that Mayali has been associated with Madhveshwar Mahadev for centuries, which is considered the world’s largest natural Shiva Linga. Through this development project, the religious and tourist significance of Madhveshwar mountain will gain national and international recognition. Under the project, a tourist resort and skill development center will be constructed near Mayali Dam. He said that Mayali will be developed as a holistic eco-tourism and adventure destination. Its forests, waterfalls, mountains, and rich tribal culture will be showcased to tourists from across the country and the world. Local people will directly benefit from the income generated from tourism. Shri Sai said that with this objective, the state government has implemented the Home-Stay policy, through which rural families can directly engage in tourism activities to earn income and tourists will get an opportunity to experience the local culture up close. The Chief Minister said that this project has brought new opportunities for the youth of the region. Training related to tour guides, hotel services, adventure sports, handicrafts, and digital booking will be provided at the Skill Development Center. This will give national and international recognition not only to tourism but also to the social and cultural diversity of Jashpur. Mayali’s picture will change with development works, a new tourist center will emerge The Mayali area will be developed as a holistic destination for natural, religious, and rural tourism. Under the project, 5 tourist cottages, a conference and convention hall, a skill development center, a grand entrance gate, boundary walls, modern toilet facilities, landscaping, and pathways will be constructed. These facilities will ensure better arrangements for tourist stays and various events and will create employment opportunities. To strengthen religious tourism, an entrance gate, toilet facilities, landscaping, and pathways will be developed in the Shiva temple area. In the Kailash Gufa complex in Bagicha, the entrance gate, picnic spot, resting shed, ghat development, pathways, and renovation of stairs and railings will be done, providing tourists with a safe and convenient experience. All these works will be carried out through the Mayali-Bagicha development project approved under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0, operated by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Upon completion of the project, there is a possibility of an increase in tourism activities, strengthening of the local economy, and gaining new national recognition for the region’s cultural and natural identity. On this occasion, Chief Minister Shri Sai’s wife, Smt. Kaushalya Sai, Vice-Chairman of Surguja Area Tribal Development Authority and Pathalgaon MLA Smt. Gomti Sai, Chairman of Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Shri Neelu Sharma, Chairmen of various boards and corporations, public representatives, administrative officers, and a large number of villagers were present.
