The Chhattisgarh tourism department has unveiled a plan to boost tourism in the state to encash its diverse natural flora and fauna, cultural treasures and centuries-old architectural wonders as per an IANS report.

‘We are promoting our national parks, forests, ancient temples, royal palaces and caves and unique groups of indigenous people as the unique selling proposition of Chhattisgarh,’ said Tourism Secretary Subrat Sahoo. ‘We would also be offering customized packages,’ said Sahoo. ‘Come to Chhattisgarh and discover a secret India… India the way it used to be,’ he added. According to Sahoo, an advertisement and marketing campaign would be launched soon.

On the issue of Maoists, Sahoo said that enough steps were being taken by the security forces to check the rebels. He said their activities were limited to a particular part of the state.‘We are aware of the fact that if a person decides to visit the state the issue of Naxalism would definitely be in the back of his mind. But we want to assure that all necessary steps are being taken,’ said Sahoo.

According to the CTB, the state gets around five lakh domestic and 25,000 international tourists every year. Officials said they were hoping to double the figure in the next few years.

‘Taj hotels are setting up shop in Raipur and 13 new resorts are coming up across the state,’ said Sahoo