Sukinda, Jajpur (Odisha), May 22, 2025: On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) launched its latest publication, “Songs of the Forest”, a one-of-a-kind book that captures and preserves the rich biodiversity-related stories from indigenous communities.The book was launched at a glittering ceremony organised at Tata Steel’s Sukinda Chromite Mine campus here on Thursday.
This unique initiative is an earnest effort to document and treasure the oral folklores, traditions, and stories that have been passed down through generations within tribal communities. Recognizing the urgent need to preserve these fading narratives, the Foundation embarked on an extensive outreach campaign, engaging with village elders, storytellers, and knowledge keepers from indigenous communities across the regions where it operates.
Unveiling the book, Pankaj Satija, Executive-In-charge, Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division, Tata Steel, said, “With this book we are not just preserving stories – we are preserving heritage, wisdom, and the deep ecological consciousness. It’s a view towards the world through the eyes of the indigenous communities who have walked this earth as companion and not as conqueror. It inspires us to be the worthy companion of the earth and echoes this year theme – “Harmony with nature and sustainable development.”
The idea took root during the International Day for Biological Diversity celebration by Tata Steel in the year 2023, where the company had organised a story telling session involving participants, young and old alike, to understand and appreciate the significance of biodiversity in our ecosystem. Renowned environmentalists, scientists, and conservationists had shared captivating stories and anecdotes that highlighted the intrinsic link between biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and human well-being.The moving tales and age-old knowledge shared during the session had sparked the need to document these oral traditions in a more permanent format.
Attending the event, Dr Ambika Prasad Nanda, Head, CSR (Odisha), Tata Steel Foundation, said, “The planet is a house to various living species and we should learn to coexist in harmony with others. Together only we can make this planet a beautiful place.”
“Songs of the Forest” is available in both print and digital formats and serves as a repository of cultural and ecological wisdom. It captures the symbiotic relationship indigenous communities share with nature, offering insights into traditional conservation practices, local flora and fauna, and the spiritual connections people have with their environment.
As part of its commitment to environmental sustainability and cultural preservation, Tata Steel Foundation observed the International Day of Biological Diversitymarked by several panel discussions by eminent subject matter experts like Dr Arun Kumar Mishra, IFS, Retired Chief Conservator of Forest, Government of Odisha, Gayatri Devi, Ecology Researcher, Biologist and Founder of Grow with Nature, along with Dr Shwetashree Purohit and Dr Dharani V and Dr Jayant Tripathy, Unit Lead, Sukinda-Bamnipal, who inspired the audience with their detailed work in the field of biological diversity.
