Koraput district boosts tourism with focus on handicrafts & handlooms | Bhubaneswar News
Koraput: Known for its picturesque hills, verdant valleys and cascading waterfalls, the tribal-dominated district of Koraput is now focusing on handicrafts and handlooms to elevate its tourism potential. With the region already established on the national tourism map for its natural beauty, district authorities are now aiming to showcase its rich cultural heritage to attract more visitors.
“Koraput is witnessing steady progress in the tourism sector. With handloom, textile and handicrafts emerging as key attractions for visitors, it has been decided to highlight the district’s rich cultural heritage,” collector Keerthi Vasan V said.
Keerthi stressed on the importance of enhancing the value of traditional tribal products to meet the growing expectations of tourists. “Self-help groups are coming forward to produce improved and high-quality products. Hence, steps will be taken to maintain a sustainable supply and ensure quality isn’t compromised upon,” he added.
Koraput is home to several distinctive art forms that draw attention from both domestic and international tourists. These include Laxmipur’s terracotta, Kotpad’s handlooms, renowned for natural dyes and tribal motifs, and bamboo crafts from Boipariguda. “But there are many more thriving crafts across the district,” Keerthi said, adding, “When artisans work collectively, they gain better bargaining power.”
As part of a broader initiative to integrate tourism with local craft traditions, the administration plans to set up a handloom village near Kotpad. The project will enable tourists to witness the production process and buy directly from artisans.
Additionally, the administration has announced plans to establish a terracotta craft village in Laxmipur and a bamboo craft village in Boipariguda. These villages will be equipped with common facility centres and marketing infrastructure, with a targeted completion date of Oct 2025, aligning with the start of the tourist season.
The administration is also leveraging govt schemes to support artisan communities. Over 3,000 artisans in Koraput have already benefited from the PM Vishwakarma scheme, which provides financial and skill-based assistance to traditional craftspeople.
“We urge all eligible artisans to avail of the scheme. The district administration will provide full support to ensure artisans thrive,” Keerthi added.
“With coordinated efforts, we are hopeful of making the district a model for artisan-based sustainable tourism. In addition to natural attractions like Deomali, Odisha’s highest peak, the district is expected to draw tourists eager to explore its unique craft villages and tribal heritage,” he said.
“Koraput is witnessing steady progress in the tourism sector. With handloom, textile and handicrafts emerging as key attractions for visitors, it has been decided to highlight the district’s rich cultural heritage,” collector Keerthi Vasan V said.
Keerthi stressed on the importance of enhancing the value of traditional tribal products to meet the growing expectations of tourists. “Self-help groups are coming forward to produce improved and high-quality products. Hence, steps will be taken to maintain a sustainable supply and ensure quality isn’t compromised upon,” he added.
Koraput is home to several distinctive art forms that draw attention from both domestic and international tourists. These include Laxmipur’s terracotta, Kotpad’s handlooms, renowned for natural dyes and tribal motifs, and bamboo crafts from Boipariguda. “But there are many more thriving crafts across the district,” Keerthi said, adding, “When artisans work collectively, they gain better bargaining power.”
As part of a broader initiative to integrate tourism with local craft traditions, the administration plans to set up a handloom village near Kotpad. The project will enable tourists to witness the production process and buy directly from artisans.
Additionally, the administration has announced plans to establish a terracotta craft village in Laxmipur and a bamboo craft village in Boipariguda. These villages will be equipped with common facility centres and marketing infrastructure, with a targeted completion date of Oct 2025, aligning with the start of the tourist season.
The administration is also leveraging govt schemes to support artisan communities. Over 3,000 artisans in Koraput have already benefited from the PM Vishwakarma scheme, which provides financial and skill-based assistance to traditional craftspeople.
“We urge all eligible artisans to avail of the scheme. The district administration will provide full support to ensure artisans thrive,” Keerthi added.
“With coordinated efforts, we are hopeful of making the district a model for artisan-based sustainable tourism. In addition to natural attractions like Deomali, Odisha’s highest peak, the district is expected to draw tourists eager to explore its unique craft villages and tribal heritage,” he said.
