ORISSA is a state with a large number of tribes – as many as 62 major and minor ones. Some like the Khadias, Dongria Kondhs, Lanjia Sauras, Mankadias and Bondas are ‘very primitive’ and continue to live their traditional lifestyles. Many are hunter-gatherers and roam the  forests in search of food, their worldly possessions limited to some baskets,  cooking utensils and hunting weapons. Almost all districts of the state have tribal people though they are in a clear  majority only in the western and central hill districts of Malkangiri, Koraput,  Nowrangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Deogarh, Kondhmal, Boudh, Sonepur, Bolangir and Nuapara. As much as 23% of the state’s population comprises of tribals with their total population exceeding seven million as per the 1991 census. Orissa ranks fourth amongst states and union territories in terms of area  under forest cover. The state has a total area of 1,55,707. Out of this 26,329 sq kms is reserved forests, 15,524 sq kms is protected forests and 16,282 sq kms is unclassed forests. The total recorded forest area (all of which may not  have forest cover) is 58,135 sq kms which is 37.34% of the total geographical area of the state. However, only 31.36% of the area of the state actually has forests on the ground. Ideally, 33.33% of the geographical area should be covered with dense forests. Dense forests form 27,972 sq kms and 20,866 sq kms is open forest. According to forest department officials a proposal to declare nearly 12,000 sq kms of forests out of the 31,785 sq km under the revenue department as ‘reserved forests’ has been pending for the last 30 years.