Indore: Tribals in Malipura village about 4 km away from the ancient fort city Mandu, once dependent on marginal farming, have earned a new source of livelihood by opening their mud houses and farms for tourists.Dominated by the Bhil tribe, families of Malipura have turned into a professional host for foreign and domestic tourists. The village has hosted close to 20 foreign tourists and as many locals in over 6 months at their farms and homes, surrounded by lush green belt and pond. Tribals have turned their mud homes into homestays and serve local dishes ‘dal bati’, ‘dal paniya’, ‘dal bafle’ and ‘makke ki roti’ among other local dishes made by female members of the house on trenchers (pattal). “A team of Madhya Pradesh tourism visited our village and informed us about the home stay project and how this can be a source of earning. We agreed to the concept and took training from a NGO. Since then, we have hosted over a dozen tourists. They praise our home and food, especially ‘makke ki roti’ and dipping’s,” said one of the house owners Kishore Katare from Malipura village.Villagers said, tourists demand traditional food made on ‘chulha’ and in mud utensils. Another homestay owner Dinesh Katare said, “We are here for generations but never hosted guests. This is a very good business and we get good income. People love our hospitality and food.”As part of rural tourism, Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has identified 100 villages in different clusters across the state to develop homestays, handicraft villages, exhibition areas and streets to showcase locally handmade jewellery and artistic products. The board has started training tribes in Sidhi, Dhar, Umaria, Mandla and Dindori districts. The board has already trained more than 50 tribals in thadipathar and khokhara villages in Sidhi district and aims to train around 250 tribals in other tribal dominated areas of Madhya Pradesh.According to the tourism department, two homestays are ready in the village and three more are getting ready. The tourism department has collaborated with local NGO partners for training of home stay owners and in construction of homestays using locally sourced raw materials, stones and wood. Gayatri Parihar, director, Vasudha Vikas Sansthan, NGO partner with state tourism department said, “The USP of this village is its location in the middle of greenery and a water body. Earlier no one knew the name of this place but word to mouth publicity is helping, villagers getting tourists.”Villagers said, many tourists visiting Mandu come to the village attracted by the scenic view and ask for tea and light refreshment as there are no big food joints in the vicinity. They have also started learning boat rowing to add more tourist activities in the village.