Self‑Help Groups Reach Over 3 Million Women; New Irrigation and Tourism Projects Transform Bastar

Chhattisgarh now reports 286,000 active women’s self‑help groups (SHGs), collectively encompassing more than three million members. These groups are being linked to the state’s Ready‑to‑Eat programme, providing market access, while loans and other financial assistance are fueling self‑employment ventures.

In Bastar, the government is shifting the focus from a decades‑long history of Naxal‑related unrest to an agenda of development. Two major irrigation projects – the Deurgav and Matanar schemes on the Indravati River – are slated to water about 80,000 acres, promising higher agricultural yields and reduced reliance on rain‑fed farming.

Tourism is also receiving a push. Attractions such as Chitrakote Waterfall, Kutumsar Caves, Abozhmara forest and the remote village of Dhudmaras are being marketed on global platforms. The new industrial policy now incorporates incentives for homestay establishments, offering loans and subsidies for five‑room facilities. Together, these initiatives aim to generate employment, raise farmer incomes, and position Bastar as a vibrant economic hub.