RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Monday released the book ‘Jashpur: Ek Parichay’, published by the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Delhi, documenting the district’s history, administrative evolution, tribal culture, natural resources and development prospects.
The book examines changes in Jashpur’s administrative system since Independence, along with the functioning of present-day administrative institutions and governance mechanisms.
Releasing the publication, Sai congratulated the Chhattisgarh regional branch of IIPA for documenting the district’s development journey. He said Jashpur was among Chhattisgarh’s distinctive regions, with a rich blend of nature, culture and traditions and immense potential for development.
“Understanding the development journey of any region requires a comprehensive study of its history, society, culture, natural resources and administrative systems. ‘Jashpur: Ek Parichay’ is an important document from this perspective,” Sai said.
He said Jashpur’s mountains, valleys, rivers, waterfalls and dense forests, along with its rich tribal traditions, gave the district a distinct identity. As part of the extended Chotanagpur Plateau, the district has unique geographical and climatic characteristics, forest-based livelihoods and a tradition of coexistence between tribal communities and nature.
Sai said Jashpur had made progress in infrastructure, rural development, education, healthcare, livelihood promotion and administrative reforms. Future development plans, he added, should take local needs and characteristics into account.
The Chief Minister said agriculture, forest produce, tourism and local products, along with women and youth entrepreneurship, could further strengthen the district’s economy. He also highlighted Jashpur’s potential for eco-tourism, citing its forests, waterfalls, valleys and tribal culture.
The book was prepared as part of an IIPA national initiative under which its regional branches have been tasked with studying at least one district in their respective states. The Chhattisgarh regional branch selected Jashpur from the state’s 33 districts because of its distinct geographical, social and cultural characteristics.
The publication is not a conventional district gazetteer but a comprehensive document covering various aspects of Jashpur. It draws on the Raigarh district gazetteer, government publications, Census 2011 data, departmental reports and other published material. Jashpur became a separate district in 1998 after being a tehsil of Raigarh.
Sai expressed hope that the book would serve as a reference for administrators, policymakers, researchers and students and encourage further research on the district’s history, administration, society, economy and development potential.
IIPA Chhattisgarh regional branch chairman and former chief secretary Suyogya Kumar Mishra, vice-chairperson and former additional chief secretary Indira Mishra, and vice-chairperson and former chief secretary and State Election Commissioner Ajay Singh were present at the event.