On the occasion of Hareli festival, the Forest Department organized a food festival at the Tatamari Eco-Tourism Center in Keshkal. Local public representatives, social workers, women self-help groups, and youth enthusiastically participated.
Women self-help groups prepared traditional dishes from Bastar and Chhattisgarh at the food festival, which were enjoyed by guests and tourists. A special campaign was also launched during the event to make Tatamari a plastic-free tourist destination. Municipal Council President Mr. Biharilal Sori inaugurated the museum and kayaking facility in the Tatamari pond.
Initiatives towards a plastic-free Tatamari
: DFO Mrs. Divya Gautam stated that the purpose of the Hareli festival event is to connect people with nature, the environment, and local traditions. Women self-help groups prepared traditional dishes for tourists. The kayaking facility in the Tatamari pond has added a new attraction for tourists.
She explained that, furthering the earlier commitment to make Tatamari plastic-free, an initiative is underway to provide tokens of ₹10 each to local women groups and shopkeepers. Its objective is to reduce plastic use and promote environmentally friendly tourism.
A message of nature conservation through Hareli.
Municipal Council Chairman Mr. Biharilal Sori praised the Forest Department’s event, stating that Hareli is a festival associated with greenery and nature conservation. Through this event, people received an important message about forest and environmental conservation. He commended the efforts of the Forest Department and women’s self-help groups and wished the residents a happy Hareli festival.
Councilor Mr. Bhupesh Chandrakar said that Tatamari is also gaining recognition for other tourist destinations in the Keshkal region, and the influx of foreign tourists is increasing. He added that the initiative to make Tatamari plastic-free, in keeping with the spirit of Hareli, makes the event even more meaningful.
Employment opportunities for women’s groups are increasing through tourism.
Senior journalist Mr. Krishnadutt Upadhyay said that the Forest Department’s decision to delegate tourism-related responsibilities to women’s self-help groups is a commendable initiative. This is increasing women’s participation and their income sources. The increased tourist arrivals at Tatamari will also increase employment and self-employment opportunities for local women.
Appreciating the traditional dishes of Bastar and Chhattisgarh prepared by women groups, he said that such events can play an important role in giving a new identity to the local culture and cuisine.
Nagar Panchayat President Shri Biharilal Sori, Councilor Shri Bhupesh Chandrakar, Smt. Namrata Bhardwaj, Shri Mahesh Taram, DFO Smt. Divya Gautam, SDO Smt. Sushma Netam, senior journalist Shri Krishnadutt Upadhyay along with the forest department team, members of women self-help groups and a large number of local citizens were present in the program.
