Quote from Alex bobby on May 17, 2025, 8:11 AM

Dream Maps and Dwindling Forests: How Indigenous Women in Odisha Are Leading India’s Grassroots Climate Fight

In the dense green forests of Odisha, India’s eastern state long known for its rich tribal heritage, a quiet revolution is unfolding—led not by politicians or scientists, but by Indigenous women with a deep connection to the land.

On the banks of a small stream in Putpondi village, the Paraja community gathered for their annual harvest festival, catching fish and eels in celebration of a season’s work. Yet, beneath the festivities lies a growing anxiety: fish are harder to find, crops are harder to grow, and the monsoon rains—once predictable—now arrive late or not at all.

“Nowadays, the rains come late, affecting our farming, leading to a decrease in production,” said Sunita Muduli, a Paraja tribeswoman who farms millet on land her people have cultivated for generations.

Climate Change and a Community’s Response

The Indigenous Adivasi communities of Odisha have thrived for millennia by living in harmony with nature—farming, foraging, and sustaining themselves with minimal environmental footprint. But with the intensifying impacts of climate change, their survival is under threat.

Instead of waiting for government intervention, these communities are taking matters into their own hands. A coalition of women from 10 villages, with the help of a local NGO, has begun surveying natural resources—documenting what has disappeared and what can still be saved.

The result of this grassroots data collection is a powerful tool: "dream maps". These vibrant maps envision their villages as they would like them to be—green, abundant, and sustainable. They highlight forests teeming with fruit trees, streams brimming with fish, and common lands rich in biodiversity.

The Shrinking Commons

By comparing their findings to state government data from the 1960s, the women discovered that common lands in many villages have shrunk by up to 25%. Forest cover, fruit-bearing trees like mango, guava, and Indian gooseberry, and even materials for traditional instruments are all vanishing.

“Once we acquire the rights we deserve, our priority will be to revitalise and flourish our forest,” said Saita Dhangada Majhi of Pangan Pani village.

The villagers are now preparing to submit these dream maps to local government officials, demanding restoration funds and formal recognition of their community forest rights. Their estimated need: $2 million—a tall order in one of India’s poorest states, but one they believe is within reach.

A First Step Toward Representation

This marks the first time many of these women are publicly leading a community advocacy effort. And it's not just about securing funds—it's about demanding that outsiders, including authorities, seek permission before making any changes to their lands.

The dream map initiative has empowered them with not just data but confidence.

“Our forest contains an abundance of diverse resources. Unfortunately, rainfall has reduced, temperatures have risen and our forest cover has dwindled,” said Muduli. “We want to make sure these resources are available for our children.”

Climate Impacts on the Frontlines

India is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. From 1993 to 2022, it endured over 400 extreme weather events, leading to 80,000 deaths and economic losses nearing $180 billion, according to the 2025 Climate Risk Index.

In Odisha, a study from Fakir Mohan University found food production had declined by 40% over the last 50 years due to these changes. As most of India's farmers still rely on rain-fed agriculture, the shifting monsoon patterns are a direct threat to food security.

And no group feels this more acutely than Indigenous communities, whose traditions and livelihoods are deeply rooted in forest ecosystems.

“Climate change is affecting their very existence,” said Bidyut Mohanty, head of the Society for Promotion of Rural Education and Development (SPREAD), which facilitated the dream map project. “They have not contributed to the problem but are paying the price.”

A Model for the World?

The work of these Indigenous women is now being recognized as a potential blueprint for community-driven climate adaptation. According to the UN, 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity is located in Indigenous-controlled lands.

“They are actually leading from the front,” said Neha Saigal, a gender and climate expert with Asar Social Impact Advisors. Saigal believes their approach could help shape India’s National Adaptation Plan and should be replicated in other vulnerable regions.

Whether the Indian government adopts these dream maps or not, the women behind them have no intention of stopping. Their project isn’t just an act of protest or advocacy—it’s a declaration of guardianship over their forests, their traditions, and their future.

“Forest is our life,” said Purnima Sisa of Badakichab village. “We have taken birth in this forest, and one day we will die in the forest. It is our life and livelihood.”