Dongria Kondh

The Dongria Kondh are an indigenous tribal community in India’s eastern Odisha state. They traditionally live in the Niyamgiri Hills, valuing their land and environment deeply. They practice agriculture, gather forest products, and maintain rich cultural and spiritual traditions linked to nature. Their society emphasizes natural harmony and community cooperation. Due to their dependence on the hills for sustenance and spiritual practices, they have become symbols of environmental conservation and indigenous rights. Their resistance to mining projects reflects their desire to protect their land, culture, and way of life from external exploitation.