In 2000, Bastar was one of the 16 Madhya Pradesh districts that formed a part of the new state of Chhattisgarh.

[7] Rice is grown predominantly during kharif season as the rain fed crop across a 2.38.9 million hectare area.

in the Bastar district is less than in other places of Chhattisgarh, and is insufficient to supply nutrients to the crop.

Forest-related work, including collection and sale of forest produce, supplements the meagre agricultural income of the population.

People are often forced to seek help from moneylenders in times of crisis, which usually means a life of continued indebtedness.

The absence of alternate employment opportunities leads to rampant poverty in the area.

[9] Exceptionally fortunate in its water resources, the region has good rainfall and rapid runoff due to the undulating terrain.

They provide for consumer needs such fuel, firewood, medicines, food, beverages, and housing materials, among others.

National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) is setting up a 3 MTPA capacity greenfield Integrated Steel Plant in Nagarnar, located 16 km from Jagdalpur, with an estimated outlay of Rs 210 billion.

[12] An environment ministry panel has recommended the diversion of forest land for the steel plant in a decision that was taken in the meeting of a Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India[13] Forty percent of livelihoods are forest-based, 30 percent are agriculture based and 15 percent of livelihoods are dependent on animal husbandry.

Migrant labour is also prevalent among the tribal population of Bastar, especially among the Bison Horn Maria.

[9] The major tribes of the Bastar region are the Gond, Abhuj Maria, Bhatra.

Amneet Bhatra hold Highest Status, Halba, Dhurvaa, Muria, and Bison Horn Maria.

Gonds are also the largest tribal group of central India in terms of population.

The tribes of Bastar region are known for their unique and distinctive tribal culture and heritage.

Each tribal group in Bastar has their own distinct culture and enjoys their own unique traditional living styles.

A large number of Bastar tribals still live in deep forests and avoid mingling with outsiders in order to protect their own unique culture.

[citation needed] The tribals of Bastar were among the earliest to work with metal and have expertise in making figurines of tribal gods, votive animals, oil lamps, and animal carts [citation needed].

Vessels, jewellery, images of the local deities, and some decorative works of art are made through a process called the lost wax technique, which is notable for its simplicity, is particularly well-suited to tribal settings.

The Bastar district specializes in the preparation of items from Dhokra and unique woodcraft styles.

The MLAs for these constituencies are Lakheshwar Baghel (Indian National Congress) and Kiran Singh Deo and Vinayak Gotay (Bharatiya Janata Party) respectively.