Dhudmaras Village Selected for UN's Best Tourism Village Upgrade Programme
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Village Name | Dhudmaras |
| Location | Bastar district, Chhattisgarh, India |
| Program | Best Tourism Village Upgrade Programme (BTVUP) |
| Initiative | United Nations Tourism for Rural Development Programme (UNTRDP) |
| Organization | United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) |
| Key Features | - Located in Kanger Valley National Park (KVNP), established in 1982 |
| - Surrounded by dense forests, Kanger River, and rich biodiversity | |
| - Home to Dhurwa Tribe (part of Gond Tribe), speaking Paarji (Gond dialect) | |
| - Features caves with stalagmites and stalactites (Kutumbasar, Kailash, Dandak) | |
| - Dominated by Sal, Teak, and Bamboo forests | |
| Recognition | Selected for eco-tourism and sustainable development under BTVUP |
| Evaluation Criteria | Nine key areas: cultural/natural resources, economic/social sustainability, tourism development, infrastructure, etc. |
| UNWTO | - Established in 1975, headquartered in Madrid, Spain |
| - 159 member countries, including India | |
| - Aligns with 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDG Target 8.9 | |
| Program Goals | Promote rural development, inclusion, and sustainability through tourism |