| Bastar division | |
| Native Name: | बस्तर संभाग |
| Settlement Type: | Division of Chhattisgarh |
| Pushpin Map: | India Chhattisgarh#India |
| Coordinates: | 19.08°N 82.02°W |
| Coor Pinpoint: | Jagdalpur |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  India |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Chhattisgarh |
| Seat Type: | Headquarters |
| Seat: | Jagdalpur |
| Parts Type: | Districts |
| Parts Style: | para |
| P1: | 7 (Bastar, Bijapur, Dantewada, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur and Sukma) |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Total: | 2500000 |
| Timezone1: | IST |
| Utc Offset1: | +05:30 |
Bastar division is an administrative unit of the Indian state of Chhattisgarh. Headquartered in Jagdalpur, it is the southernmost region of the state and is known for its rich tribal culture, dense forests, and mineral wealth.[1]
Bastar Division was originally part of the larger Bastar princely state. It was formally organized as a division in 1999, when the historic Bastar district was subdivided into Jagdalpur (Bastar), Dantewada, and Kanker.[2] Further administrative reforms led to the creation of Bijapur and Narayanpur in 2007, followed by Sukma and Kondagaon in 2012.
The division covers a geographical area of approximately 39,117 km2. It is a mineral-rich plateau region primarily drained by the Indravati River. The landscape is dominated by the Abujmarh hills and dense deciduous forests.
The division is headed by a Divisional Commissioner. It consists of seven districts:[3]
| District | Headquarters | Established | Area (km²) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 4,030 | |||
| 1999 | 3,411 | |||
| 1999 | 6,424 | |||
| 2007 | 6,555 | |||
| 2007 | 7,010 | |||
| 2012 | 7,768 | |||
| 2012 | 5,897 |
Bastar division is recognized as one of the regions most significantly affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in India, primarily involving the Naxalite–Maoist insurgency.[5]
The division is a focal point of the Red Corridor. According to Ministry of Home Affairs statistics, the districts of Bijapur, Sukma, and Dantewada remain categorized as "Most Affected Districts."[6] The establishment of new security camps (Forward Operating Bases) in core areas like Abujmarh has significantly increased the presence of state functionaries in previously inaccessible zones.[7]
The prolonged conflict has impacted the pace of human development in the region. However, under recent initiatives, there has been a push for:
