Banjiama - Where Sabara Tribal Community live in Perfect Harmony with Elephants

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For thousands of years, the indigenous communities living in various parts of the world have developed the art and skills of living with wild animals in their surroundings. However, as time has moved with the spread of urban culture and penetration of consumer markets in rural areas, the indigenous communities are steadily forgetting the traditional wisdom of coexistence with the animal world. The loss of traditional knowledge has resulted in regular conflicts between animals and humans. There are losses of lives in both, the animals as well as humans. 


The Meadow of Banjiama Village surrounded by the hills of Dalijoda 


The View of Dalijoda Hills and Forest from the Terrace of Kila Dalijoda

However, there are still villages in remote forest areas where the harmonious living between wild animals and humans coexist. Banjiama is one such village located in dense Dalijoda Forest in Cuttack District. A settlement of 50 to 60 members, Banjiama is inhabited by the Sabara Tribal community. The village cut-off from the rest of the civilsation is in the prime elephant corridor. 


The Humble Shrine of the Village Deity 

The villagers of Banjima over the period have acquired the art and skills of controlling the elephant movement. There has not been reported a single human or elephant death due to conflicts.  


The Humble Villagers of Banjiama

After trekking in the dense forest corridor for more than 4 km we arrived at the village on a monsoon morning. It was part of the slow travel with Mr Debjit Singhdeo, who is a local naturalist and owner of Kila Dalijoda Home Stay. 



The rest of the story is here: 



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