Adventure Activities Roll Out Alongside Birdwatching in Kulhadighat

The once‑turbulent Kulhadighat forest of Gariaband, Chhattisgarh, is now emerging as a centre for adventure and wildlife tourism. Once a favored hideout for Maoist cadres, the canopy is now alive with hornbills and the sound of paddles slicing through water. The hornbill safari, launched under the guidance of the Udanti‑Sitanadi Tiger Reserve’s deputy director, draws enthusiasts from Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Delhi and beyond, with estimates of 200‑250 hornbills nesting in the trees.

The region’s reputation for conflict stems from two major anti‑Naxal drives in 2025. In January, forces engaged a Naxal squad in the Bhālu‑Dighi terrain, eliminating 27 militants, including high‑reward figures Jaya Ram Reddy (₹1 crore) and Guddhu (₹25 lakh). A September operation saw ten hardcore insurgents, among them Modem Balakrishnan—a central committee member with a bounty of over ₹5 crore—killed in a coordinated STF, Cobra and district police raid. These actions dismantled the rebel network, leading to further surrenders by early 2026.

Building on the calm, the forest department now offers kayaking trips, plans a tiger enclosure, and is preparing additional nature‑based experiences. Simultaneously, state authorities are rolling out essential services—roads, power, health facilities and schools—to former conflict‑prone villages like Aamāmora, Odha and Kukrār, aiming to cement Kulhadighat’s new identity as a safe, eco‑friendly destination.