New Delhi/Raipur
When Ramayan Singh Bariha first encountered an elephant on the forest road near his home, fear overtook curiosity.
“It may have chased me if I tried to turn my bike and flee. I felt so afraid that I returned to collect the vehicle only the next day,” recalled Ramayan, a resident of Achanakpur village near the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh, while speaking to The Indian Tribal.
Like most villagers, Ramayan couldn’t continue his education beyond Class 10 due to limited facilities and the lack of hostels. But what he and others couldn’t achieve through academics, they are now realising through eco-tourism—a sustainable model that has reshaped their rural lives.
Once wary of the elephants that roamed their forests, the Bariha tribals of Chhattisgarh now manage a nature resort that’s drawing thousands of tourists and transforming local lives.
Eco-Tourism Success Story
Nestled in the Devpur forest range of Baloda Bazar district, the Dev Hills Nature Resort stands as a beacon of transformation. Established in 2011 with just six conical-shaped cottages, it is managed by the Eco Ethnic Paryatan Vikas Samiti, whose members largely belong to the Bariha tribal community of Achanakpur.
For Bariha and about a dozen others, the resort has become a steady source of livelihood. “Our samiti is happy to manage the place. Though we handle repairs and maintenance ourselves, fresh milk and vegetables are easily procured from the village,” he said.
According to manager Mukesh Kumar Potai, a hotel management graduate from Raipur, the resort has hosted over 14,000 tourists in the past five years. Despite almost no phone connectivity, it remains popular among nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and offbeat travellers.
“Visitors enjoy simple food, village walks and the forest trek guided by our members. Elephants, leopards, bears and deer are frequently spotted here,” Potai explained.
The Dev Hills initiative was conceptualised by the Chhattisgarh Forest Department to promote local employment through eco-tourism. Forest guard Teekam Thakur, who recently returned from training in Odisha, noted that such ventures help build harmony between people and nature. “Eco-tourism gives people a stake in conservation and generates awareness about forests and wildlife,” he said.
Located amid dense bamboo forests, Achanakpur offers livelihoods like bamboo weaving, mushroom collection and karil (tender bamboo shoots) gathering. The traditional bamboo basket, jhaua, is still crafted by a few artisans like Baratu Ram Bariha, though the market for it has weakened. “I still make jhaua because it’s part of who we are,” he said while shaping one from freshly cut bamboo.
However, venturing into the forest is not always safe. Elephant raids are frequent, and paddy crops often bear the brunt. Thakur said alerts are issued during elephant movements, but villagers sometimes take risks to collect forest produce. “The forest gives us food and work, so people take chances,” he admitted.
A Walk Through The Green Gold
A guided three-kilometre forest trail opposite the resort offers tourists a glimpse into the region’s biodiversity. “The path gets slippery during monsoon, but the view is breathtaking,” Bariha said as he pointed to mushrooms sprouting on bamboo, often called the “green gold” of Chhattisgarh.
Dr. Geetanjali Singh, Assistant Professor of Botany at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University, Ranchi, explained that not all mushrooms found on bamboo are edible. “Only a few species growing in termite-rich soil near bamboo can be consumed safely,” she said.
During the trek, karil—the young bamboo shoot used in tribal cuisine—was also spotted. Thakur proudly displayed one, calling it “a forest delicacy that connects us to our roots.”
Today, Bariha earns around Rs 12,500 a month, making him one of the senior members of the samiti. “At first, villagers didn’t even know this area was being developed as a resort. Now, tourism has changed everything. People dress better, send their children to school and think beyond daily labour,” he said.
Education remains a challenge, but Potai believes the winds of change have begun. “Nobody here could read English, but now a youth from Achanakpur has joined college,” he said proudly. “Maybe the next generation will dream bigger.”
Despite modern influences, the Bariha community continues to celebrate its traditional Karma Puja, worshipping the sacred Karam tree branch—a ritual that keeps their bond with nature alive.
From Salwa Judum To Serenity
Potai’s own journey reflects the transformation Dev Hills stands for. His family once faced violence during the Salwa Judum movement, but today he lives a peaceful, purposeful life managing the resort. Looking ahead, he hopes to add a new flavour to the experience—literally.
“I want to introduce millet-based recipes for our guests. Chhattisgarh is known as India’s rice bowl, but our traditional millets—ragi, kodo, and kutki—are healthy and sustainable. I want tourists to taste our real culture,” he said.
The Dev Hills Nature Resort, with its tribal wall paintings, tree-top dining area built on a Beeja tree, and rustic bamboo ambience, is more than just a tourist spot—it’s a story of resilience, adaptation and harmony with nature.
