Debrigarh Ecotourism Achieves Impressive Economic Revenue of Rs 3.45 Cr in FY 2023-24

Sambalpur: Debrigarh Ecotourism has achieved an impressive economic revenue of Rs.3.45 crore during this financial year (1st April’23 to 31st March’24) with 70,000 tourist footfall – highest revenue in Odisha.

Tourist composition – 50 % tourists are from Odisha, 20% West Bengal, 30% from other 15 states of India and foreigners from Europe, US, UK, Austrailia. Debrigarh turning tourism hub has not only contributed immensely to conservation but also has contributed to economic and social development of local forest dependent communities around Debrigarh by providing them employment round the year.

Promising revenue is a result of hardwork and commitment of 87 families managing 14 night stay cottages, Safari, cruise, trekking, hiking, kayaking, bird watching, library, fooding services, souvenir shop and also protecting serenity of grasslands/saltlicks/ resting zones of animals etc inside tourism zone scientifically for easy sighting of animals in this area as it adds to their livelihood. This has resulted in guaranteed sighting of Bisons/ Sambars/Deer/ Wildboar/ peacocks/bear in large herds by all visitors. Which again has contributed maximizing Leopard spotting in tourism area by 95% tourists this year.

Reduced hunting (employment to community members & hardcore poachers) and zero biotic pressure (relocation of all villages and now no human habitations inside Sanctuary) has contributed maximizing towards making Debrigarh the “top most” visited Wildlife area in Odisha.

Climate friendly Debrigarh: From 1st April’24 onwards Debrigarh authorities have declared whole Debrigarh Sanctuary free from “single use of plastic ” alongwith it the tourism zone, Night stay facilities in nature camp, safari zone, entry gate and all other amenities also have been declared plastic free – All 48 protection establishments inside Debrigarh have been made eco-friendly. 150 squads and frontline staff staying inside Sanctuary have been provided with sufficient jute bags of different sizes for their daily use, unbreakable glass water bottles, storage bins etc to avoid inconvenience and to make their life easy. Though since long they are in habit of using plastic (light weight, easily available,easy to carry), all protection assistants have come together to forbid single use of plastic for all time to come. Earthen dustbins with branding “Plastic free Camp” are placed in all establishments.

Plastic free tourism zone : all 87 community members managing Ecotourism facilities have been trained for use of automated machines for cleaning, sufficient aquaguards in many water points, unbreakable glass bottles & other accessories for regular use, use of brass articles have also been initiated from April to upscale Community Ecotourism, use of sofiscated paper accessories, carriers for carriage & storage facilities have been made for convenience at all levels. One “standard operating procedure (SOP)” is being followed for sustainable practice of “Zero plastic” & “Zero trash”. Sufficient steps are being adhered by Safari drivers, ecoguides at entrygate to safeguard the valuables of tourists and make substitutes available to them safeguarding time.

Communities together have embraced “no plastic ” policy and sufficient signages have been provided to aware visitors about the harmful affects of plastic bottles.

Due to large-scale village relocation & aggressive grassland management, density of animals & also baby animals have become healthy in sanctuary resulting in more animal presence in periphery areas like Tourism Zone which also has reservoir all along. Hence making tourism zone climate friendly, without any litter is utmost importance for long-term management of wildlife habitat. During Safari, Cruise or trekking/Hiking etc tourists are accompanied by trained Ecoguides who have taken responsibility of “Zero Trash ” in Debrigarh.

Two women Ecoguides of neighbouring village have also joined who will help implementing zero plastic policy by motivating tourists without any inconvenience to any visitor’s.

Guaranteed sighting of – Bison, sambar, deer, wildboar, peacock, langur. Leopard & bear sighting chances fair.

Guaranteed Bird sightings – Yellow billed Ducks, Black Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Gulls, Pratincoles, Terns, Moorhens, Open billed Stork, 4 variety of Herons.

Last year revenue was Rs 2.5 crore with footfall 30,000. This year’s revenue stood at Rs 3.5 crore.

Community Ecotourism model in Odisha – 100% revenue is utilized for salary of community members working round the year, maintenance of ecotourism/rooms/safari vehicles/boats, fuel charges, fooding of tourists etc.