While Simlipal Tiger Reserve and its rare melanistic tigers often draw the spotlight, Odisha is equally remarkable for its vibrant and diverse tribal heritage. The state is home to communities such as the Kolha, Bathudi, Ho, Gond, and Munda, along with smaller groups like the Kahadia, Mankidia, and Lodha. Among them, the Santals are the largest and most prominent, known for their deep-rooted spiritual connection to the forest. For many of these tribes, nature is sacred. This reverence is often expressed through sacred groves, locally known as Jahera or Thakuramma. But in one village in Mayurbhanj, this bond with the forest has taken on a particularly meaningful and innovative form.
In 2004, the village of Hatimada began celebrating a unique version of Raksha Bandhan. Traditionally, a Hindu festival where sisters tie a protective thread around their brothers’ wrists, Hatimada’s residents reimagined it as a celebration of their relationship with the forest. Instead of tying rakhis to their siblings, villagers tie them to trees—symbolising a promise of mutual care and protection between people and nature.
The tradition was initiated by environmental activist Bibekananda Pattnaik, the honorary wildlife warden of the district, in collaboration with local communities. What began in one village soon became a collective celebration involving forest department officials, local leaders, and government representatives. Over time, it evolved into a powerful and unifying ritual, particularly among the Santals.
Preparations begin with a community gathering led by the Majhihadam, the Santhal head priest. The village headman formally invites all residents to take part. On the day of Rakhi Purnima, men and women dress in traditional Santhali attire. Women welcome guests with ritual dances, and the priest leads a procession into the forest, carrying mango and sal leaves, honey, ghata, jhuna, and deepa for the sacred rites. After prayers, the community renews its pledge to protect the forest—vowing to prevent illegal logging and forest fires. In return, they pray for rain, good health, and abundant harvests.
What began in Hatimada has since inspired many. Today, most villages in Mayurbhanj observe Jungle Raksha Bandhan, and the tradition has spread to neighbouring states such as Jharkhand and West Bengal.
At a time when deforestation is often seen as a cost of progress, these communities offer a powerful reminder of a different path. For them, conservation is not a project or a trend—it is a way of life. Through rituals like Jungle Raksha Bandhan, they continue to protect the forests that have long protected them.
Photograph credits: Sourabha TT and Bibekananda Patnaik, Honorary wildlife warden , Mayurbhanj
