Odisha's Maithili Bhue thanked by PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat for eco-tourism work
Synopsis
A woman from a financially struggling family in Odisha's Sundaragarh district who once sold forest produce to survive is now training 40-50 women in eco-tourism — and just got a national shoutout from PM Modi on Mann Ki Baat. Maithili Bhue's story from Debrigarh is a rare grassroots conservation success that has caught the Prime Minister's attention.
Key Takeaways
Maithili Bhue of Dhodrokusum village , Sundaragarh district , Odisha, was praised by PM Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat programme on 30 August .
Bhue joined Debrigarh Eco-Tourism in 2023 , moving away from selling forest produce to a stable livelihood in eco-tourism.
She is currently training approximately 40 to 50 women in eco-tourism and hospitality skills.
Women she has trained work across souvenir shops, tea shops, restaurants, nature camps, and homestays .
Her success inspired women from nearby villages to join the Debrigarh Eco-Tourism initiative.
Maithili Bhue, a resident of Dhodrokusum village in Sundaragarh district, Odisha, expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, 30 August after he praised her contributions to forest conservation and women's empowerment through eco-tourism in his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat'. The recognition has brought national attention to the quiet but transformative work being carried out at Debrigarh Eco-Tourism in the Debrigarh region of western Odisha.
From Forest Produce to Eco-Tourism Pioneer
Bhue comes from a financially disadvantaged background and once sustained her household by collecting and selling forest produce — including Kendu leaves, bamboo shoots, mahua flowers, and firewood. In 2023, she joined Debrigarh Eco-Tourism, which provided her with a stable and improved income, transforming her family's financial condition.
"When I joined Debrigarh Eco-Tourism in 2023, I earned a good income, and my family became financially stable. When other women in the locality saw our improved financial condition, they also became interested in working with Debrigarh Eco-Tourism," Bhue said.
Inspiring Women Across Nearby Villages
Bhue's visible progress became a catalyst for change in her community. Women from neighbouring villages, encouraged by her example, began joining the eco-tourism initiative. She is currently training approximately 40 to 50 women in various aspects of eco-tourism and hospitality — covering how to interact respectfully with tourists, understand visitor needs, and deliver quality services.
The women are engaged across multiple sectors, including souvenir shops, tea shops, restaurants, nature camps, and homestays, with training tailored to each woman's specific role and responsibilities.
What Bhue Said After Modi's Recognition
"I am extremely happy that Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned my name and appreciated my work in 'Mann Ki Baat'. I sincerely thank him for recognising our efforts," Bhue said. She added that her goal is to make more women self-reliant through eco-tourism. "I want more women to become self-reliant and earn a livelihood through eco-tourism. I am training them so that they can confidently serve tourists and contribute to the development of Debrigarh," she noted.
Mann Ki Baat Spotlight on Grassroots Conservation
Prime Minister Modi, in his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, highlighted Bhue and her associates for their work in forest conservation — a segment that has historically been used to spotlight grassroots change-makers across India. The mention places Debrigarh's eco-tourism model on a national platform, potentially drawing greater tourism interest and policy attention to community-led conservation efforts in Odisha.
This comes amid a broader push by the Centre to link forest-dependent communities with sustainable livelihood models, and Debrigarh's example may serve as a replicable template for similar tribal and forest-belt districts across the country.
Point of View
However, is whether the spotlight translates into structural support: dedicated funding, formal training infrastructure, and market linkages for Debrigarh and similar models. Bhue's journey is compelling, but one Mann Ki Baat citation does not guarantee institutional backing. India has dozens of Debrigarhswaiting to be seen — the question is whether recognition becomes replication.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maithili Bhue and why is she in the news?
Maithili Bhue is a resident of Dhodrokusum village in Sundaragarh district, Odisha, who works with Debrigarh Eco-Tourism and trains women in hospitality and conservation-linked livelihoods. She came into national focus after Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised her work in his Mann Ki Baat radio programme on 30 August.
What is Debrigarh Eco-Tourism?
Debrigarh Eco-Tourism is a community-based eco-tourism initiative in the Debrigarh region of Odisha that offers nature camps, homestays, and related services. It provides livelihoods to local women from forest-dependent communities who were previously reliant on collecting and selling forest produce.
What did PM Modi say about Maithili Bhue in Mann Ki Baat?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Maithili Bhue and her associates in his Mann Ki Baat broadcast, praising their efforts in forest conservation and eco-tourism. The mention brought national attention to the Debrigarh model of community-led conservation.
How many women is Maithili Bhue training?
Bhue is currently training approximately 40 to 50 women in various aspects of eco-tourism and hospitality, including tourist interaction, service quality, and operations across souvenir shops, tea shops, restaurants, nature camps, and homestays.
Why does the Debrigarh eco-tourism model matter?
The Debrigarh model demonstrates how forest-dependent communities — particularly women from financially disadvantaged backgrounds — can transition to sustainable, dignified livelihoods through eco-tourism. It is being seen as a potentially replicable template for tribal and forest-belt districts across India.
