The history of community forest protection and management in the State dates back to pre independence days. These initiatives were the result of spontaneous reaction to increasing resource scarcity caused, among other reasons, by the State’s commercial exploitation of the forest. These initiatives existed in the backdrop of the local people’s struggle to assert control over natural resources.

There are about 12,000 forest protecting groups, spread all over Orissa protecting around two million hectares of forest ranging from a few years old to several generations old. These initiatives exhibit an array of diversity in origin, management systems, institutional arrangements, benefit sharing mechanism and conflict resolution. This signifies situation specific conservation models evolved due to various interacting factors. Livelihood assurance through collection of forest produces, ecological services and economic benefits from the forest were the main considerations behind many initiatives, thus, it is the interaction between forest and the local community, where people felt the need to secure their future through local action. Further years of protection have resulted in well stocked forest and excellent biodiversity. The Forest Survey of India (FSI) reports of 2001 and 2003 have recognized the achievement of these initiatives by clearly mentioning that most of the open forest in the State have been converted into dense forest due to community efforts.

Case studies:

• Dhani panch mouza, Nayagarh
• Dhanrasi: A Tale of upcoming village
• Binjgiri hills, Nayagarh
• Kalikasole village, Mayurbhanj

• Suruguda village, Sundergarh district

Orissa’s coastline of 480 sq kms ranks among the world’s largest turtle nesting and waterfowl wintering grounds, along with considerable other wildlife. Community efforts are visible in various points here too. The wetlands and coasts of the State are providing shelter to thousands of migratory birds and sea turtles. The State also holds distinctive examples where local communities are conserving migratory animals/birds even at the expense of their livelihood.

Case studies:

• Migratory bird conservation at Mangalajodi
• Community Initiated Conservation of Olive ridley Sea Turtles: A Case Study of Rushikulya Rookery, Orissa.

In an era, when agro-biodiversity is fighting for survival with the market forces, there are citadels of conservation led by communities, individuals and organizations which have kept alive the rich tradition of agro-biodiversity in different parts of Orissa. These models of conservation have drawn inspiration from indigenous traditional knowledge systems evolved by the communities over a long period of time and which are both ecologically and economically sustainable. There is an urgent need to facilitate a process for mainstreaming these dynamic processes of community conservation initiatives which would also enable these initiatives to influence the agro-governance system for better conservation of agro-biodiversity.

Orissa has a long tradition of cultural conservation. The philosophy of conservation lies in the culture and ethos of society that encompasses care of forest in the form of sacred groves or worship wild species as incarnation of God. Many endangered species threatened to extinction in other places are conserved in areas where religious sentiments are attached with these creatures. In these areas the protected animal is considered as an incarnation of God and killing the animal is a taboo. Though there is a religious belief behind the protection, the conserving community develops emotional bonds with animals that ensure sustained efforts to conserve the species. In most of the cases, security imparted to particular species is nothing but realization of its role in life supporting system. Here the roots of initiative lies deep in traditional ecological knowledge system implemented though religious institutions. Some times villagers get fascinated by attractive animals and believe it as incarnation of God

Case studies:

• HUMMA VILLAGE, SAMBALPUR
• Maneshwar: Where People Respect and Protect Endangered Turtles as Devotees of God
• SACRED GROVES IN ORISSA

Many examples can be sited in Orissa where the communities are actively protecting individual species of wildlife. Many endangered species threatened to extinction are conserved in theses areas and eventually the conserving community develops emotional bonds with the animals. This has ensured sustained efforts to conserve the species. In most of the cases, security imparted to particular species is nothing but realization of its role in life supporting system. Here the roots of initiative lie deep in traditional ecological knowledge system and many a time villagers get fascinated by the attractive animals and believe it as incarnation of God.

Case studies::

• Bird Conservation
  • Dhanmandal
  • Rugudipalli

• Kodbahal spotted deer
  • Kodbahal
• Pakidi
  • Pakidi: Where Peafowl feel safe in presence of human