Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme, praised Maithili Bhue, a woman from Dhodrokusum village for transforming forest conservation in Debrigarh sanctuary into a source of livelihood while simultaneously safeguarding nature.Maithili, who embodies environmental protection and self-reliance, has become an example for all to emulate. Once dependent on the forest, Maithili is now engaged in its conservation activities through eco-tourism. Inspired by her, nearly 60 women have now adopted this path of self-sufficiency.“There is a village in Odisha’s Debrigarh. Until a few years ago, this village’s Maithili Bhue was going to the forest almost every day to collect mahua, kendu leaf, firewood and other forest produce. The forest used to sustain Maithili’s family and other villagers. Then, Maithili got connected to Debrigarh’s ecotourism. Her relation with the local forest took a new direction. Maithili is now able to protect forest and earn livelihood. She is an inspiration for other women in the village, who have also become part of Debrigarh ecotourism,” PM said in his Maan Ki Baat.Maithili, a tribal woman, has emerged as an exemplary community leader in promoting conservation, sustainable livelihood and women’s empowerment. Before 2023, her family was substantially dependent on the forests of Debrigarh for livelihood and household requirements, including firewood, timber, Mahua flowers, kendu leaves, bamboo shoots (karadi) and other non-timber forest produce. With limited alternative livelihood opportunities and family responsibilities, the forest was central to her household’s sustenance.In 2023, with the intervention of Debrigarh forest authorities, Maithili became the first tribal woman to join Debrigarh in conservation and community-based ecotourism initiatives, taking up regular employment. She earns approximately Rs 9,500 per month now, providing her family with a stable year-round livelihood.Forest dept sources said her income has enabled her to support her children’s education, meet family healthcare needs and improve the economic security of her household. Under her leadership and influence, women who were earlier dependent on forest exploitation, gradually became associated with wildlife protection squads, meadow development, ecotourism activities, road maintenance and other conservation programmes.Nearly 60 women have shifted from forest-extraction-based livelihood to conservation-linked livelihood directly working in Debrigarh sanctuary as protection squads, drivers, ecotourism, homestay owners etc.