Nestled in the Eastern Ghats of Central Odisha are picturesque hamlets, where dense forests and rich culture meet the challenges of everyday survival. We explore the vibrant yet challenging landscapes of rural Odisha, focusing on the villages of Kueranga and Gumandi in Kandhamal district, and Lokamari and Baniyanagar in Ganjam district. These communities face the intersecting issues of livelihood, climate impact, and socioeconomic inequalities, providing a lens into the struggles of rural India.