Forest Guardian: A Young Tribal Woman’s Battle to Save Koraput’s Jungles

Radhika Majhi, a 26-year-old tribal woman from Odisha’s Koraput district, understands well that forests are more than just trees — they are homes for biodiversity, protectors of the climate, and vital sources of livelihoods. She also knows the dangers we face, as nearly ten million hectares of forest vanish every year, leaving barren land and threatening a future where rivers may dry, species may disappear, and even the air we breathe could become unsafe. Yet amid these alarming losses, Radhika has inspired five villages to regenerate 100 acres of degraded forest, build a pond to meet water needs, and launch collective enterprises that connect conservation with livelihoods.

Born into hardship, Radhika lost her father when she was just four, leaving her mother to struggle as a daily wage labourer. Out of this adversity grew her resolve. At 17, she felt her first deep connection with the forest during an afforestation drive led by the Forest Department. She watched fragile saplings take root and heard the distant echo of axes felling mature trees. Each tree cut meant a thread of our heritage lost," she recalls. Determined, she united neighbours to plant saplings, extinguish forest fires, and guard young tree stands through scorching summers. Her mantra is “Protect the forest, and the forest will protect us.”

Through the Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) program supported by CYSD, Radhika brought together the people of Japaguda, Haradaguda, Nuaguda, Masiaguda, and Tentulipadara to protect their forests - women patrolling by day and men at night. Villagers who once cut timber now guard every tree, securing both their present and their future. According to Mr. Ashish Jalli, Project Lead at Koraput, the result is striking - 100 acres of forest with sal, teak, mahua, and other native species now act as a carbon sink, absorbing 1,200 metric tons of CO₂ each year while releasing only 300 tones."

When the monsoon rains flow down from the hills, most of it runs away, and the land dries up in summer. To save this precious water, Radhika led the villagers to dig a large pond in the middle of the forest. "This pond became our lifeline," she says. It keeps the soil and tree roots moist, gives water to wildlife and helps prevent fires. With the pond in place, nature and people both benefit. More than 20 families now farm fish there, earning ₹2.5 lakh each year. They put some of that money into a village fund, which has grown to ₹3 lakhs. This fund pays for future community projects. Fish from the pond are also a special part of festivals like Magh Jatra and Diali Parab, bringing conservation into celebration. The villagers have also returned to natural farming. Over 80 families now grow vegetables and grains without chemical fertilizers, which has improved the soil by 25% over five years.

"As Gopal Majhi, a farmer from Nuaguda, says, 'When the soil thrives, so do our families.' Radhika’s work shows a simple truth: protecting forests works best when it starts at the local level. By supporting leaders like her, we protect not just trees, but traditions, food security, and a brighter future. As Nuaguda’s forest grows and wildlife returns, the village proves that even amid global forest loss, hope can take root and thrive when communities lead."