Debrigarh Ecotourism: A Rising Star in Wildlife Tourism with Record Visitors
Debrigarh Ecotourism Achieves Record Growth
Sambalpur/Bhubaneswar: Debrigarh Ecotourism has reported an impressive performance for the fiscal year 2025-26, generating revenue of Rs 6.02 crore and attracting nearly 140,000 visitors. This marks a significant increase from the previous year's earnings of Rs 5.01 crore and 85,000 tourists, highlighting its growing appeal among nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
The consistent growth indicates that Debrigarh is becoming one of India's most rapidly developing wildlife tourism destinations. Approximately half of the visitors hailed from Odisha, while the remainder traveled from various parts of India and countries such as Italy, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Spain, and Brazil.
This year also saw the launch of Odisha's inaugural Nature Homestay at Dhodrokusum Green Village, along with a distinctive 2-km Birding Trail, enhancing the eco-tourism offerings at this location.
These new features complement existing attractions like stargazing rooms with glass roofs, an island café, a wildlife library, and guided stargazing experiences introduced last year. Debrigarh has progressively established itself as a sought-after wildlife destination, providing near-certain sightings of species such as Indian bison (gaur), leopards, wild dogs, sambar, chital, sloth bears, wild pigs, peacocks, and a diverse array of birds.
Visitors can engage in jungle safaris with eco-guides, cruises on the Hirakud reservoir, island excursions, hiking and trekking paths, kayaking, cycling, wildlife photography tours, and guided stargazing. Currently, the site features 25 night-stay accommodations, including stargazing rooms and forest homestays managed by local communities.
Looking forward, Debrigarh Ecotourism plans to expand further in 2026-27, with intentions to introduce 32 new night-stay cottages, including 10 additional homestays at Dhodrokusum, alongside a canopy walk and enhanced safari and cruise services.
Highlighting the significance of community-driven conservation, DFO Hirakud Wildlife Division Anshu Pragyan Das stated, “Debrigarh Ecotourism exemplifies a model where conservation and livelihoods coexist. The increase in visitor numbers and revenue showcases the effectiveness of community-led initiatives like Dhodrokusum Homestays and the Birding Trail.”
He added, “Our commitment is to sustainable tourism, regulated visitor management, and empowering local communities, particularly women and youth, while ensuring minimal impact on wildlife.” Currently, around 120 local families are directly involved in ecotourism roles such as guides, safari drivers, boat operators, and homestay hosts.
Nearly 40% of these participants are women, including female safari drivers and eco-guides, while tribal women oversee the homestays. With regulated safari limits, stringent monitoring, and eco-friendly practices, Debrigarh is solidifying its reputation as a model destination that harmonizes tourism growth with wildlife conservation and community empowerment.