Debrigarh Hailed as India’s Best Ecotourism Destination by G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant

Bhubaneswar: Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha has emerged as a national model for community-driven ecotourism, earning high praise from India’s G20 Sherpa Shri Amitabh Kant during his visit on May 21. Lauding the sanctuary’s inclusive and sustainable approach, Kant described Debrigarh as the best ecotourism destination in India, highlighting its success in blending conservation with livelihood generation for forest-dependent communities.

During his visit, Kant interacted with members of the Debrigarh Ecotourism community and commended the initiative where 85 forest-dependent families are actively engaged in various ecotourism activities. These include jungle safaris, trekking, kayaking, Hirakud reservoir cruises, birdwatching, and storytelling sessions focused on wildlife awareness. The sanctuary currently offers 20 cottages for overnight stays, including six unique stargazing rooms with glass roofs, enhancing the visitor experience.

“This is a remarkable model where conservation meets livelihood. The Debrigarh community has created an inspiring example of how people and nature can thrive together,” said Kant. He also highlighted that the initiative’s inclusive approach has enabled each participating family to earn between ₹13,000 and ₹15,000 per month. Notably, 40% of those involved in ecotourism at Debrigarh are women, with roles ranging from safari drivers to eco-guides.

Thanks to the relocation of villages from within the sanctuary, Debrigarh now experiences no human-wildlife conflict. This, combined with scientific habitat management, has led to a notable increase in wildlife populations. Tourists frequently spot large herds of Indian bisons, along with sambars, deer, and bears. The sanctuary has become a major attraction for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Adding to its eco-friendly offerings, the sanctuary features 18 functional cruise boats at Hirakud Reservoir and a community-run Island Café built using bamboo and palm leaves. Other community-managed attractions include the Govindpur Birds Village, Dhodrokusum Green Village, and the Veer Surendra Sai Memorial. In a powerful example of rehabilitation and inclusion, former poachers have also been integrated into the initiative and now serve as trained eco-guides.

Debrigarh Ecotourism achieved its highest-ever revenue of ₹5.11 crore in 2024-25. According to ecotourism guidelines, the entire revenue is channeled back into the community. Of this, 35% is distributed as wages, 25% is allocated for recurring operational costs, 10% for infrastructure development, another 10% for village development, and 20% goes into a corpus fund managed by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) for training and capacity-building programs.

This revenue-sharing model has made the local community the principal stakeholder in ecotourism operations, thereby strengthening forest protection and wildlife conservation. The sense of ownership among villagers has turned them into proactive guardians of the sanctuary. Through this initiative, community ecotourism has not only boosted rural incomes but also significantly enhanced conservation outcomes.