Punascha Pruthibi: Women should come forward for conservation of forest & wildlife, says Maithili Bhue

Bhubaneswar: Maithili Bhue, who has received praises from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, urged women to come forward for conservation of forest and wildlife in Odisha. “Conservation of forest and wildlife is crucial for our survival on this planet. Women can play a key role in the conservation of nature and natural resources,” said Bhue in an interview to Odia Daily Sambad recently. It is worth mentioning here that the Prime Minister had praised Bhue, a resident of Dhodrokusum village in Sambalpur district, for transforming forest conservation in Debrigarh sanctuary into a source of livelihood while simultaneously safeguarding nature. “We were earlier depending upon minor forest produce from Debrigarh for our livelihood. I got associated with the eco-tourism project at the sanctuary in 2023. Through this initiative, now I am earning livelihood as well as protecting the forest,” said Bhue while narrating her journey as a conservator of nature. According to Bhue, she got associated with the Debrigarh eco-tourism project at the behest of the forest authorities including the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Anshu Pragyan Das. “The officials of Debrigarh had enquired about my family’s economic status and suggested me to join the eco-tourism project. Now I am earning a livelihood with dignity,” she said. Notably, Bhue is the first tribal woman from the locality to get associated with the conservation as well as community-based eco-tourism project at Debrigarh. Taking inspiration from Bhue, at least 70 local residents, both men and women, have joined the conservation and eco-tourism work at the sanctuary. “I have trained around 70 locals in conservation activities. These villagers are now working as forest protection squads, drivers, and ecotourism and homestay owners,” claimed Bhue.