From Forests to Markets: Transformation of Traditional Livelihoods among Dongria Kandha in Rayagada District, Odisha, India

This study explores how the Dongria Kandha, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) living in the Niyamgiri Hills of Rayagada district, Odisha, are experiencing changes in their traditional ways of living. Once closely tied to shifting cultivation, forest gathering, and subsistence farming, many community members are now turning to market-based livelihoods. To understand this shift, fieldwork was carried out in five villages, combining surveys with 100 households (selected through stratified random sampling), 60 in-depth interviews, and eight focus group discussions. The findings show that while new income sources have improved financial stability for some, they also bring challenges—such as environmental strain, cultural loss, and a weakening of traditional knowledge systems. The study calls for development efforts that respect the community’s cultural roots and support environmentally sustainable practices.