- Linking village culture, nature, and traditions with tourism will open new avenues for employment and prosperity for local people – Tourism and Culture Minister Shri Rajesh Agrawal
- Incentives for sustainable rural tourism, homestays, conservation of local culture and natural heritage, and community participation
- Winner to be honored at the State Festival (Rajyotsav); an illustrated souvenir highlighting achievements will also be released
The state government has taken a significant initiative to showcase the rich culture, tribal traditions, natural beauty, and local lifestyles of Chhattisgarh’s villages on the national and global tourism map. The Tourism Department has launched the ‘Chendru State Rural Tourism Award’ to encourage individuals and organizations performing outstanding and impactful work in the field of rural tourism. To this end, the state government has implemented the ‘Chendru State Rural Tourism Award Rules, 2025,’ which will be effective across Chhattisgarh.
Under this prestigious award, a selected individual or organization making a remarkable contribution to rural tourism will be presented with a cash prize of one lakh rupees and a citation. The objective of the award is not merely to honor excellence but also to establish rural tourism as an effective medium for local employment, livelihoods, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.
Tourism and Culture Minister Shri Rajesh Agrawal stated that the villages of Chhattisgarh represent a living heritage of our culture, traditions, and nature. The state government aims to ensure that the benefits of tourism are not limited to major tourist destinations but extend to remote rural and tribal areas. Through rural tourism, new opportunities for livelihoods and self-employment can be created for local youth, women, self-help groups, artisans, and rural entrepreneurs. Minister Shri Agrawal stated that the ‘Chendru State Rural Tourism Award’ seeks to recognize individuals and organizations that are transforming the landscape of their villages and regions through tourism at the grassroots level. By promoting homestays, local cuisine, handicrafts, folk art, folk culture, natural and cultural heritage, and community-based tourism, Chhattisgarh has the potential to emerge as a distinctive model for rural tourism in the country.
He noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the state government is continuously working to link tourism with employment and the local economy. Rural tourism offers the potential for tourists not merely to view a destination but to experience its culture, traditions, cuisine, and lifestyle firsthand. This ensures that tourism-generated income reaches the local community directly.
- Giving a National Platform to Chhattisgarh’s Unique Identity through the Name ‘Chendru’
The name ‘Chendru’ evokes the unique identity of Chhattisgarh that once brought national and international recognition to Bastar and its authentic, nature-connected way of life. Now, the State Rural Tourism Award established under this name will honor and recognize the grassroots heroes and organizations doing remarkable work in the field of tourism within Chhattisgarh’s villages.
- Recognition with a Cash Prize of ₹1 Lakh and a Citation
Recipients of the award—whether individuals or organizations—will be presented with a cash prize of ₹1 lakh and a citation. As per the rules, an individual may receive this honor only once in their lifetime. The objective is to highlight innovative and impactful initiatives, thereby creating new, inspiring stories of rural tourism within the state.
- Six-Member Jury to Evaluate Outstanding Work
A six-member jury has been constituted to evaluate the entries received for the award. The jury will be chaired by the Managing Director of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board and will include experts and officials associated with the tourism sector. Under the prescribed process, emphasis will be placed on aspects such as work undertaken in the rural tourism sector, its impact, local community participation, employment generation, and the preservation of cultural and natural heritage.
- Entries to be invited through newspapers
The Chhattisgarh Tourism Board will invite entries for the ‘Chendru State Rural Tourism Award’ by publishing advertisements in leading newspapers. Applicants will be required to submit their profiles, photographs, proof of residency in Chhattisgarh, Aadhaar cards, and evidence regarding their work and achievements in the field of rural tourism.
- Recognition at Rajyotsav; success stories to be showcased nationwide
The selected winner or the representative of the chosen organization will be honored during the Rajyotsav (State Festival). On this occasion, an illustrated souvenir highlighting the winner’s work, innovations, and achievements will also be released. This will provide widespread recognition to the remarkable efforts being made in rural tourism and inspire other villages and communities to pursue tourism-led development.
- New impetus for homestays and community tourism
The potential for rural tourism in Chhattisgarh is linked to the state’s diverse geographical and cultural characteristics—ranging from the tribal culture of Bastar and Sarguja to the traditions of rural areasCuisine, folk art, handicrafts, fairs, festivals, natural sites, and the local lifestyle offer tourists a unique experience. In this context, homestays and community-based tourism models can serve as effective means to strengthen the local economy while introducing tourists to the authentic cultural identity of Chhattisgarh.
The expansion of rural tourism will lead to the decentralization of tourism activities, ensuring that economic benefits reach the villages. This will not only boost local employment and self-employment opportunities but also encourage the preservation of traditional arts, crafts, cuisine, folk culture, and natural heritage.
Through the ‘Chendru State Rural Tourism Award,’ the Chhattisgarh government aims to establish rural tourism not merely as a tourism activity, but as an effective vehicle for the socio-economic empowerment of local communities, cultural preservation, and sustainable development.