5 things Rest of India should know about Chhattisgarh

I came to Chhattisgarh 3 years back when I got a job in a  Power plant here.Before that I did not know much about Chhatisgarh. Back then to me, like a lot of people the name Chhattisgarh was synonymous with Naxals. But having lived here for the last 3 years I can say how stupid that notion was.Recently when I mentioned to a co-passenger that I work in chhattisgarh he replied with 'Oh the land of naxals!' I could only smile in mild annoyance.
So for people like him here are 5 things they should know.

1. Chhattisgarh is not all about Naxals
     Chhattisgarh has active Naxal presence only in the Bastar region which lies to the south.The rest of the state is free from naxals.I have travelled to many places in Chhattisgarh and it is completely safe.Speaking of even bastar,it is safe for tourists.I even know of a traveller from France who has made Bastar her second home.She spends so much time among the locals that when she leaves for France a crowd gathers to wish her goodbye.Check out her blog here.Or you may heard of a girl who solo travelled 20 states in India.She made a visit to Bastar too.Heres her story.

2. Chhattisgarh has some amazing tourist sights.
     It has some of the best sights to visit like Chitrakote falls which is arguably the most beautiful waterfalls in India.Add to that the caves at Kutumsar,Teerathgarh waterfalls and a multitude of other underrated places will leave you surprised and speechless.

3. It is an industrial state.
     Chhattisgarh has many industries.In Power sector it has surplus power, that means it is one of the few states in India that produces more power than it consumes.It has a NTPC unit in Sipat,Jindal Power in Tamnar near Raigarh and many other big and medium power players. Coming to steel sector, it accounts for 15% of the total steel produced in the country.It has Bhillai Steel Plant in Bhillai operated by SAIL.And in raigarh it has Jindal Steel and Power Limited.All in all it has 100 steel rolling mills,The capital,Raipur is the largest market for steel in India.

4.It has huge natural and mineral resources.
     Forests occupy around 40% of the total area.And amongst many products including lac,wood and honey it produces the best quality tendu leaves in India and contributes almost 20% of the total tendu leaves production of India.Coming to mineral resources it ranks first in India in coal production and second in reserves.And it is the only state in India where Tin is produced.

5.Closely related to the above two points, the state has the highest freight loading in the country and one-sixth of Indian Railway's revenue comes from Chhattisgarh. Quite impressive!

Bonus- It is not all backward and dull as it is generally made out to be.Also the people here are good natured and very helpful.I have travelled quite a bit here like I mentioned above and here are my travels in Chhattisgarh.
Razzwashere in Chhattisgarh.

5 Interesting Facts about Chhattisgarh

Chhattisgarh is a state in eastern part of India.It has an image of being backward and being naxal infested.But there are many other facts about it which many people are ignorant about.Here are five facts which people not familiar with with Chhattisgarh may find interesting.

1- Chhattisgarh has huge mineral resources.

        Chhattisgarh is one of the most mineral rich states in India.The mineral wealth in this part of India(along with Chhattisgarh, Orissa,Jharkhand and other eastern states) is still among the most valuable in the world.It has around 28 mineral varieties.Its the only producer of tin in India.One of the best quality Iron ore in the world is found in the mines of Bailadila in Chhattisgarh and is exported to other countries. 

2-It has one of the largest Power and Steel Sectors in India

        Its one of the few states in India which has surplus power production.With powerplants of NTPC,CSEB and Private companies like Jindal Power Limited,Korba West,DB Power,SKS Power and others it is in a enviable situation.It also has Steel Plants in Bhillai operated by SAIL and a plant in Raigarh operated by Jindal Steel and Power Limited among others.Raipur,capital of Chhattisgarh has become the center of Steel Sector in India.

3-It has nearly 44% land area covered by Forests.

        With over 44% of its total area under forests, Chhattisgarh is amongst the greenest states of India.It houses 3 National Parks and 11 Wildlife Sanctuaries.Also Some of the best sal forests in the country are found in this state.It also has around 80 varieties of medicinal plants.

4-It Records the highest Freight loading among 17 zones of Indian Railway.

        South East Central Railway with its headquarters in Chhattisgarh records the highest freight loading every year in India.It is known as the 'Blue Chip of Indian Railway' with 5600 wagons being loaded everyday. 

5- It is one of India'a fastest growing state.