PM Modi praises Odisha's Maithili Bhue for Debrigarh forest conservation
Synopsis
A woman who once foraged Debrigarh's forests for survival is now its most prominent protector — and she has brought 60 others with her. PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat spotlight on Maithili Bhue is more than a feel-good moment; it signals a policy narrative shift toward community-led, women-driven conservation as a replicable model for forest-fringe India.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi praised Maithili Bhue of Dhodrokusum village, Bargarh district, Odisha on his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on 30 August .
Maithili Bhue transitioned from a forest-produce gatherer to a Debrigarh Eco-Tourism conservation leader.
Her efforts have inspired more than 60 women to actively participate in wildlife protection, grassland development, and eco-tourism.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called the recognition a moment of pride for the state and lauded her contribution to Nari Shakti .
The Debrigarh model links eco-tourism revenue directly to forest conservation, offering a scalable livelihood alternative for forest-fringe communities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 30 August praised Maithili Bhue, a woman from Dhodrokusum village in the Debrigarh region of Bargarh district, Odisha, for her grassroots forest conservation work, using his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat' to spotlight her journey from forest-dependent labourer to eco-tourism champion.
From Forest Gatherer to Conservation Leader
Modi described how Maithili Bhue once visited the forests of Debrigarh almost daily — collecting firewood, Mahua flowers, Kendu leaves, bamboo shoots, and other forest produce — to meet her family's needs. Her relationship with the forest, he noted, was one of dependence rather than stewardship.
That changed when she became associated with Debrigarh Eco-Tourism. 'This marked a shift in her relationship with the forest, taking it towards a new direction,' Modi said during the broadcast. Forest conservation subsequently became a means of livelihood rather than a subsistence necessity.
60 Women Now Active in Wildlife and Forest Protection
Modi highlighted the ripple effect of Maithili Bhue's transformation on her community. 'Today, more than 60 women are actively involved in forest conservation. Some have taken up the responsibility of protecting wildlife, others are engaged in developing grasslands, and some are contributing to eco-tourism activities,' he said.
He commended Maithili and the women of Debrigarh for demonstrating 'that nature could be protected alongside achieving prosperity in life' — framing their model as a template for sustainable livelihoods rooted in environmental stewardship.
Odisha CM Welcomes National Recognition
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi welcomed the Prime Minister's acknowledgement, calling it a moment of pride for the state. 'The extraordinary efforts of Maithili Bhue from Debrigarh, Bargarh district, are today a moment of immense pride for the entire state of Odisha,' Majhi said.
The Chief Minister credited Maithili Bhue with directly enabling more than 60 women in the region to become self-reliant through eco-tourism, describing the model as a reflection of 'the strong resolve of Odisha's Nari Shakti' — women power. He extended congratulations to Maithili and her associates for their contribution to environmental conservation and women's empowerment.
Significance and Broader Context
The Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Bargarh district spans over 300 sq km and is home to diverse flora and fauna. Community-led conservation models — particularly those involving women's self-help groups — have gained policy traction across central India, where forest-dependent communities have historically faced a tension between livelihood and conservation mandates.
Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' has previously spotlighted similar grassroots environmental champions, but the Debrigarh example is notable for its direct link between eco-tourism revenue and measurable conservation outcomes. With 60-plus women now engaged, the model suggests a scalable blueprint for other forest-fringe communities across Odisha and beyond.
Point of View
But the Maithili Bhue segment carries a pointed policy subtext: community-based eco-tourism is being positioned as the Centre's preferred answer to the chronic tension between forest rights and conservation mandates. What the broadcast does not address is whether the Debrigarh model receives structural government support — land rights, credit access, marketing linkages — or whether it survives on individual resolve alone. Sixty women is an inspiring number; it is also a fragile base for a replication pitch. The real test is whether Odisha's forest department and the Union Ministry of Environment formalise this into a funded programme, or whether Maithili Bhue remains a Mann Ki Baat moment rather than a policy milestone.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maithili Bhue and why did PM Modi mention her?
Maithili Bhue is a woman from Dhodrokusum village in the Debrigarh region of Bargarh district, Odisha, who transformed from a forest-produce gatherer into a forest conservation leader through her association with Debrigarh Eco-Tourism. PM Modi highlighted her story during his Mann Ki Baat radio address on 30 August as an example of small, dedicated efforts creating large community impact.
What is Debrigarh Eco-Tourism and how did it change Maithili Bhue's life?
Debrigarh Eco-Tourism is a community-based tourism initiative linked to the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Bargarh district, Odisha. After joining it, Maithili Bhue shifted from dependence on forest produce for subsistence to actively conserving the forest as a source of sustainable livelihood.
How many women are now involved in forest conservation in Debrigarh?
More than 60 women from the Debrigarh region are now actively involved in forest conservation, according to PM Modi's Mann Ki Baat address. Their roles span wildlife protection, grassland development, and eco-tourism activities.
What did Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi say about the recognition?
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called it a moment of immense pride for Odisha and thanked PM Modi for honouring Maithili Bhue's work at the national level. He described the Debrigarh model as a reflection of Odisha's Nari Shakti — women power — and congratulated Maithili and her associates for their contribution to environmental conservation and women's empowerment.
What is Mann Ki Baat?
Mann Ki Baat is Prime Minister Narendra Modi's monthly radio address broadcast on All India Radio, in which he speaks directly to citizens and highlights grassroots stories, government initiatives, and social issues. The programme has been running since October 2014.
