In 1979, there was a severe cyclone in Odisha. Powerful wind uprooted thousands of trees in the Sunaposi Reserved Forest. The forest department gathered these trees and sold them in the market. Taking the cue, the villagers illegally started cutting down living trees and soon the entire forest was reduced to nothing. These people were therefore severely hit by deforestation in the area. Two villagers, took the lead for conservation of one portion of the forest. The villagers soon realised the difficulties of protecting one patch of the forest without the cooperation of the neighbouring villages. Over a period of time five other villages started conservation activities . The forest has regenerated considerably since the protection started. The villagers now derive substantial income from the forest. Besides meeting livelihood needs, they also extract food items and medicinal plants from the forest.