Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF KARST LANDFORMS OF THE KANGER VALLEY REGION, BASTAR, CHHATTISGARH

Swapna Gupta, P.K. Shrivastava, S.D. Deshmukh and Dhammshil Ganveer

Abstract

Caves are one of the foremost imperative and well-known topographical highlights in the world, a natural and social legacy, as well as a critical financial asset for numerous nations. The entire Bastar Region is endowed with Natural Resources. Kanger Valley National Park area is not an exception. This Region is famous for its Biodiversity, Geodiversity, and caves. The Kotumsar, Dandak, Kailash, Aranyak, Gupteshwar, etc. caves enkindle deep divine devotion amongst the tribal people of Bastar. These caves become Centres of pilgrimage during the Mahashivratri pooja. Apart from that several thousand tourists visit these caves and the tourism-related sector flourishes and paves the way for the creation of livelihood for the local population. The development of Karst topography, the development of underground caves, beautiful speleothems, hams, and solution valleys, all make this area very unique. Reasons behind the confinement of Karst Topography and Caves in this area are evident. The presence of faults, folds, joints, rivers, and intrusive bodies all indicate why these caves are so beautifully and extensively developed in this area. Apart from that Natural and exotic landscapes of Tiriya, Machkote, Gupteshwar, and Kanger Valley need utmost care and attention so that these natural treasures can be preserved, despite human encroachment and intervention. Industrial development of the far-flung tribal and densely forested region is a debatable issue; sometimes policymakers insist on the concept of sustainable development. This paper aims to signify the importance of this region amongst the policymakers, common people, and geo heritage enthusiasts so that we together may preserve the uniqueness of this region and take an initiative for the development of Geopark and Geotourism related activities so that objective of conservation and sustainable development can be achieved.