📍 Location & Geography
Salekasa lies in the easternmost region of Maharashtra, just 18 km from the Chhattisgarh state border, and around 60 km from Gondia city.
- Pincode: 441916
- Coordinates: 21.06° N, 80.51° E
- Nearby Towns: Deori, Dongargarh (CG), Amgaon
- Topography: Hilly terrain, dense forest areas, and seasonal rivers
This region is part of the Satpura hill range, making it ideal for nature lovers and eco-tourism.
🚉 Transport & Connectivity
Salekasa is modestly connected via road and rail, playing a key role in regional movement:
- Salekasa Railway Station (SKS) – on the Howrah–Mumbai rail line, offering local train service
- National Highway 53 (NH-53) – passes close to Salekasa, connecting it to Nagpur, Raipur, and Gondia
- MSRTC buses, autos, and private vehicles operate daily for local transportation
Its proximity to the Dongargarh pilgrimage center adds to its travel value.
🏢 Administrative Structure
As a tehsil headquarters, Salekasa administers several nearby villages and tribal hamlets.
- Tehsil Office
- Panchayat Samiti
- Revenue & Forest Departments
- Taluka Police Station
- Agricultural Extension Services
The local administration plays a vital role in delivering government schemes to remote and tribal populations.
🌾 Agriculture & Tribal Economy
Salekasa has a mixed economy of subsistence agriculture, forest-based livelihoods, and small-scale trade.
🔹 Major Crops:
- Paddy (rice) – grown in monsoon season
- Kodo, Kutki, and other millet varieties
- Seasonal vegetables, pulses, and fruits
The Gond and Baiga tribal communities also engage in collection of forest produce like:
- Mahua flowers
- Tendu leaves
- Bamboo
- Medicinal herbs
Local weekly markets (haat bazaars) are a key economic activity.
🌳 Forest & Biodiversity
Salekasa tehsil is rich in forests and wildlife, making it ideal for nature tourism and conservation.
- Proximity to Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve
- Leopard, wild boar, bear, and many bird species found in the area
- Forest rest houses and watch towers available for eco-tourism activities
Villages in the buffer zone actively participate in Joint Forest Management (JFM) initiatives.
🏫 Education & Institutions
While remote, Salekasa has made steady progress in rural and tribal education.
- Government Ashram Schools for tribal children
- ZP High School & Junior College, Salekasa
- Digital learning centers supported by NGOs and government schemes
Special efforts are made under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan to improve literacy among tribal girls.
🏥 Healthcare & Social Welfare
Salekasa’s healthcare infrastructure includes:
- Primary Health Centre (PHC) in town
- Mobile health units for remote villages
- Sub-health centers in forest hamlets
- Services under Ayushman Bharat and Tribal Health Schemes
Special focus is given to maternal health, nutrition, and vaccination.
🕌 Cultural Identity & Festivals
Salekasa’s population includes tribal groups, Marathis, and Gonds, who celebrate a rich variety of festivals:
- Pola, Diwali, and Holi
- Tribal festivals like Hariyali Amavasya, Bastar Dussehra
- Village deity worship and folk dances like Dandari and Karma
Community events and weekly fairs keep local culture vibrant and rooted.
🔮 Future Potential & Development
Salekasa is gradually being transformed through:
- PMGSY roads connecting tribal villages
- Van Dhan Yojana promoting tribal entrepreneurship
- Solar-powered schools and water pumps in remote areas
- Eco-tourism initiatives under Forest Department
With focused investment in infrastructure, education, and green tourism, Salekasa can become a model forest tehsil in Vidarbha.
🧭 Conclusion
Salekasa (441916) is one of Maharashtra’s most peaceful, green, and culturally rich tehsils. As a border village, it plays a key role in connecting Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh, while preserving the tribal identity and ecological balance of the region.
Whether you are an adventurer, nature lover, researcher, or rural development enthusiast, Salekasa offers a real glimpse into India’s tribal heartland.
