Chhattisgarh Forest Department Pioneers Landmark PPP Initiative to Position State as Global Ecotourism Destination
Chhattisgarh Eyes Global Ecotourism Map with Landmark Forest Department Initiative
RAIPUR (India CSR): In a landmark move to firmly establish Chhattisgarh on the global ecotourism map, the State Forest Department has launched a major developmental initiative. To be envisioned by the Chief Minister of the State Vishnu Deo Sai and under the guidance of Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap, the department has unveiled an ambitious vision to develop a world-class Botanical Garden in the capital and revitalize the iconic Nandan-Van.
In an innovative step, the department is inviting private investment under the state’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policy for ecotourism and eco-friendly projects on non-forest lands under its administrative control. To set this transformative project in motion, a high-level meeting with leading national investors was held on July 6 at Aranya Bhavan.
The comprehensive plan focuses on the rapid development of two flagship sites. The first is the Nava Raipur Botanical Garden, a mega-project spread across 350 acres near the Jungle Safari, which will be developed to ultra-modern international standards. The second is the redevelopment of Nandan-Van in Raipur, aimed at breathing new life into this historic and popular 43-acre tourist destination situated on the Raipur-Bhilai Road.
Prominent investors at the meeting praised the Forest Department’s forward-thinking approach. They noted that this is the first time a government department in the country has spearheaded such an integrated initiative under the PPP model to simultaneously promote environmental conservation and sustainable tourism. The investors expressed confidence that the project would serve as a national benchmark. They also offered several constructive suggestions, which senior department officials took serious note of and assured would be considered for inclusion in the final design.
The project is being modelled on the lines of some of the world’s finest parks. Officials are exploring ways to incorporate the best features from the Seychelles National Botanical Garden, Bogor Botanical Gardens in Indonesia, and Brindavan Gardens in Mysore. At the Nava Raipur Botanical Garden, there is immense potential to develop eco-friendly luxury hotel-resorts, a military heritage museum, musical fountain shows, and water-world rides. Dedicated spaces are also proposed for a local artisans’ market, a Bastar art outlet, and an organic farmers’ market to actively promote Chhattisgarh’s rich culture and support local livelihoods.
The rejuvenation of Nandan-Van will place special emphasis on health, wellness, and family entertainment. The upgraded facility may feature a specialized aviary for exotic birds, an Ayurveda wellness store, an open-air event space, and a dedicated sports and play zone for children.
The consultation witnessed participation from 21 prospective investor groups representing the hospitality, tourism, infrastructure, real estate, landscaping, and sustainability sectors. Notable participants included Ashwani Chatley (Bhutani Group), Udayraj Singhania (SBPL), Subodh Singhania, Shrivats Sharma (Green Aid Landscaper Pvt. Ltd.), Gagandeep Tuteja (Hotel Grand Imperia), Nilesh Madke (Mayfair Hotels & Resorts), Ritesh Agrawal (S.L.T. Infrastructure), Aditya Golechha (Golechha Agro Projects Pvt. Ltd.), Sanjay G. Nagulwar and Anshuman Boddun (Forest N Flora Mitawaki), Vivek Agrawal (Geeta Lakes), Avdesh Shukla (Hotel Babylon), Sandhay Pal (Avinash Developers Pvt. Ltd.), Dularam Vidhani (Hotel Ananda Imperial), Aakash Pathak (Ilika Greentech Pvt. Ltd.), Nikesh Bareliya (AT), Chyntanand D. (Shribalaji), Byas Dwivedi (Shalimar Corp Ltd.), Binash Agrawal (Sarbhal Group), Shubham Goyal (Maira), and Manoj Goyal. The enthusiastic participation of these leading industry stakeholders reflects strong confidence in Chhattisgarh’s vision to develop world-class ecotourism destinations through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Chhattisgarh proudly ranks among the top states in the country with the highest forest cover (approximately 44 per cent). The government’s primary goal is to harness this natural wealth to create fresh employment and tourism opportunities without causing any harm to the environment. This innovative initiative by the Forest Department promises to lay a strong foundation for a golden, eco-friendly future for the state.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Initiative | Landmark PPP initiative for ecotourism development |
| Lead Department | Chhattisgarh Forest Department |
| Visionary Leadership | Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai |
| Ministerial Guidance | Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap |
| Main Objective | Position Chhattisgarh as a global ecotourism destination |
| Investment Model | Public-Private Partnership (PPP) |
| Project Land Type | Non-forest lands under Forest Department control |
| Investor Meeting | Held on July 6 at Aranya Bhavan |
| Flagship Project 1 | Nava Raipur Botanical Garden |
| Botanical Garden Area | 350 acres near Jungle Safari, Nava Raipur |
| Flagship Project 2 | Redevelopment of Nandan-Van, Raipur |
| Nandan-Van Area | 43 acres on Raipur-Bhilai Road |
| Proposed Facilities | Eco-resorts, museum, musical fountains, water rides |
| Culture Promotion | Bastar art outlet, artisans’ market, organic farmers’ market |
| Nandan-Van Focus | Wellness, family entertainment and children’s recreation |
| Proposed Additions | Aviary, Ayurveda store, event space, sports and play zone |
| Investor Participation | 21 prospective investor groups attended |
| Sectors Represented | Hospitality, tourism, infrastructure, real estate, landscaping |
| Forest Cover | Around 44% of Chhattisgarh under forest cover |
| Expected Impact | Jobs, tourism growth, conservation and local livelihood support |
