India: Chhattisgarh countdown

Balmy weather, lush scenery and fascinating culture add up to India’s next hot-spot2015 the year Chhattisgarh hopes to become completely bio-fuel self-sufficient. It’s already started a jatropha-crop planting programme to achieve it2000 - the year Chhattisgarh became a state, separating from neighbouring Madhya Pradesh.300-metre-wide Chitrakot Falls is known as Chhattisgarh’s Niagara and is just one of the state’s 18 stunning waterfalls.44% of the 135,000 sq km state is covered in thick forests, making it one of India’s few lush, green regions.42 indigenous tribes populate the forests, making up a huge 32% of the state’s 21m people.25°C daytime temperatures make winter the coolest time to visit. Heat-seekers might want to wait for the 40 °C-plus days of spring, while summer and autumn monsoons see the trees and waterfalls at their best.14 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries make this a haven for nature lovers.5 types of wildcat roam the state – tiger, leopard, jaguar, panther, civetcat. Look out for leopards near the roads at dusk.5 metres aroundand 2.5m tall, the elephantine deity Ganesha in Barsur towers over his identical mini-me sidekick. Pay your respects and he might help you overcome obstacles and bring success and prosperity3-metre-high anthills dot the countryside, providing fast food and medicine for some tribes. Live (still biting) red ants served on a leaf – delicious!This was part of a special World Travel Market supplement I edited for Sunday Times Travel Magazine