Bargarh/,Sept 17 [UDN}:Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary during his tour of Bargarh district and interacted with tourists from different parts of India as well as abroad. During his visit, he also travelled to Dhadrokusum, a village in Debrigarh that received appreciation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popular radio programme Mann Ki Baat. He visited the village’s unique nature homestay initiative and interacted with local resident Maithili Bhuye, discussing the community-led efforts to promote eco-tourism and generate sustainable livelihoods.
Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said that it was encouraging to see the enthusiasm and appreciation among tourists for Odisha’s immense natural beauty, rich wildlife resources and growing eco-tourism facilities. He said Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary possesses enormous potential to emerge as a major tourism destination and has already begun establishing a distinct identity on the national tourism map.
The sanctuary has been included under the Union Ministry of Tourism’s Swadesh Darshan scheme, reflecting its importance as a destination with considerable tourism potential. Apart from its rich biodiversity and scenic natural surroundings, the area also contains important archaeological artefacts and artistic remains dating back to ancient periods, further enhancing its historical and cultural significance.
Pradhan said that the combination of Debrigarh’s priceless natural resources, wildlife wealth, historical heritage and community-based tourism initiatives has helped the destination gain increasing recognition among visitors. He emphasised that the development of eco-tourism should go hand in hand with environmental conservation and the economic empowerment of local communities.
He particularly highlighted the innovative nature homestay initiative at Dhadrokusum, where traditional mud houses have been transformed into attractive accommodation facilities for tourists. According to Pradhan, the initiative is not only contributing to increased local income but is also creating new opportunities for the social and economic empowerment of villagers.
He said that women from the local communities, who were earlier heavily dependent on forest resources for their livelihoods, are now becoming associated with Debrigarh Eco-Tourism activities. Through their participation in hospitality and tourism-related activities, they are earning livelihoods while simultaneously contributing to the protection of the environment and natural resources.
Pradhan described this community-driven model as an inspiring example of how tourism, conservation and women’s empowerment can complement one another. He praised the villagers for their commendable efforts towards wildlife conservation, rural development and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local women.
He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for highlighting and giving national recognition to the community’s efforts through Mann Ki Baat. He said that such recognition has helped bring the achievements of Debrigarh’s villagers and their eco-tourism initiatives to the attention of people across the country.
Pradhan further observed that the expansion of eco-tourism, while ensuring environmental protection, could open up new avenues of employment and income for local residents. He said that the Debrigarh model demonstrates how protection of forests and wildlife can be combined with livelihood generation and women’s empowerment.
He described the initiative as an example of the spirit of self-reliance envisioned for a New Odisha, where local communities can participate directly in tourism development, benefit economically from their natural and cultural resources and simultaneously take responsibility for protecting them.
Bijeepur MLA Sanat Kumar Gartia, Bargarh MLA Ashwini Sarangi, Attabira MLA Nihar Ranjan Mahananda, Bargarh Collector Aditya Goyal and Superintendent of Police Rabindra Satapathy, along with several senior officials, public representatives and local residents, were present during the visit.
The visit underlined the growing importance of Debrigarh as an eco-tourism destination and highlighted the potential of community participation to make tourism a sustainable source of employment, environmental conservation and rural development in western Odisha.
Leave a Reply