Lodha tribe

The Lodha tribe is a particularly vulnerable tribal group who live in the fringe areas of the Simlipal forest in Odisha. The term Lodha means ‘a piece of fish’. The Lodhas are of the North Munda ethnic group and they speak the Mundari language. They are known for their environmentally friendly honey collection method. According to the 2011 census, the tribe has a population of 8,905.  The recent forest fires have put the Lodha tribe in jeopardy.