I lives in Chote kawali village in a mud house with facility of local toilet, 20 km south of jagdalpur (the capital of Bastar region in Chhattisgarh state), on the skirts of beautifully
forested Kanger Valley National Park. the area is home to Dhurwa, Bhatra and Ghond tribes, and is little effected from Naxalites` presence. I speaks good enough english, guide you in the area which I knows very we
ll, and provide basic accommodation (in home or others) and delicious (veg./ non veg.) You can walk, hire bicycles, motorcycle (with or without a driver) or a car. there is no bus from jagdalpur to Chote kawali,but you can hire auto in Rs.400 till Chote kawali. I have the following itineraries (all distances from Chote kawali -
-visiting many tribal villages. more than 10 villages are within walking distance from Chote kawali. watching and understanding local agriculture and using of forest (the women collect roots, leaves, branches, fruits, spices, wild bamboo, ants - for eating..., silk cocoons, medicines, minerals etc), local economy (a family leaves on 300-400 rupees per week... very simple life), making bamboo baskets and carpets; trying local food and alcoholic drinks; hearing stories about aid provided by government, corruption, marriage habits, life stories.
-watching religious activities-visiting colorful weekly markets, at Nangur (Friday, 1 km) and remote Koleng (Saturday, 20 km, through the heart of Kanger Valley National Park), the last is attended mainly by distant forest tribal people. not far away are Tokapal (Monday, 25 km) and Dharba (Wednesday, 30 km) weekly markets.-*cock fighting* gathering at Alnar,Padmur,Dhaniyalur (almost every day in winter, 12 km).
-a day with Bell Metal Craftsmen (Sagar family at Chilikuti village, 6 km. , using a unique technique of wax and clay. - explore Kanger Valley National Park, including Tirathghar Waterfalls (25 km, Kutumsar Cave and village (20 km), Kailash Cave (13 km), dense forest trails and roads.
-visiting Gupteswar cave temple on Orissa`s border (35 km, mainly in dense forest including huge old Teak trees, the last one on foot, crossing the amazingly beautiful river hopping on huge granite boulders).
