It is well documented that during the last three decades in many villages across the country both domesticated and wild biodiversity has alarmingly depleted. The depletion has severely negatively impacted the villagers in particular the poor-tribal, dalit, other backwards communities etc. They face innumerable problems in accessing even the basic subsistence needs of fuel wood, fodder, small timber, food, medicine, etc. The materials contained in this book are the result of dedicated and sincere efforts of a number of men, women and youth from Kondhpungar and IRDWSI and several organisations. The book in seven chapters gives details of the objectives of the study, various concepts and methods used, introduction to the village Kondhpugar, biodiversity bearing areas in the village, the nature and extent of flora and fauna found in the village, their status, historical changes in biodiversity and its contribution to sustainable livelihoods and aspiration and future vision of the people of Kondhpungar. The book, it is hoped will encourage CB0s, NGOs and academics to initiate similar efforts in other parts of the country for the preparation of several more PBRs. It is hoped that this book will be of use to individuals and organisations working at micro level, particularly in the field of management of natural resources and sustainable livelihoods.………

About the Author

K C Malhotra, an Anthropologist and human ecologist has taught in Pune University and Indian Statistical Institute Kolkata. He has carried out extensive research on anthropological and ecological dimensions among tribals, dalits, nomads of the country. He has authored over 20 books/monographs and has published over 350 research articles in Indian and foreign journals. He is the fellow of the Indian National Science Academy and Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangaluru. He was President of Indian Society of Human Genetics. He has served as a member or Chairman on various committees of Department of Science and technology, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Planning Commission, etc. …….Singru Hontal, a Kondh tribal, was born and brought up in village Kondhpungar in Koraput district of Odisha. He studied upto class seven. Presently, he is leader of People\'s Organisation and facilitator for village development. He on his own initiative acquired exceptionally knowledge of biodiversity and its conservation. He has received training in a number of aspects of rural development (sustainable agriculture, health and sanitation, PRI\'s, agro-forestry, PBR, etc.). Since 1992 he has facilitated a wide range of development activities in his village: formation of Peoples Organisation, establishment of grain and gene bank and self help groups, land development, low carbon agriculture, herbal garden, solar energy, sanitation etc. Due to his dynamic leadership he has transformed Kondhpungar in to a model village in south Orissa.……….