biodiversity
LIVE FOUNDATION’s biodiversity work in the Tonto region of West Singhbhum stands on a rare blend of scientific method and deep indigenous intelligence—each strengthening the other like two roots gripping the same ancient soil. The forests of this landscape are not just green masses; they are living repositories of endemic trees, vibrant understorey plants, medicinal herbs, fungi, insects, birds, reptiles, and elusive mammals whose survival depends on ecological continuity. Our approach begins with rigorous biodiversity documentation using standard ecological tools: systematic transect walks, quadrat sampling, season-wise species observation, phenology tracking, and habitat-use mapping. But the true depth of our work emerges when this science walks shoulder-to-shoulder with the elders of the tribal communities—those who carry generations of forest literacy in their memory. Their knowledge of tree morphology, resin-bearing cycles, root behaviour, micro-habitat preferences, animal movement pathways, pollination cues, and medicinal properties provides an interpretive layer that no textbook can offer.
Become a Sponsor
As a sponsor of Live Foundation, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of those we serve. Your support will help us to expand our programs and services, reach more people in need, and make a lasting difference in the community. Contact us today to learn more about becoming a sponsor.
How we work
During our extensive transect trails, senior Munda and Ho elders identify species by the sound of a leaf crunch, the tilt of a flower, or the smell of freshly scraped bark. They explain how certain insects indicate soil health, how particular bird calls precede weather shifts, and how the forest regenerates itself.
Let US Walk Together
Community Involvement
Community Involvement
Community Involvement
During our extensive transect trails, senior Munda and Ho elders identify species by the sound of a leaf crunch, the tilt of a flower, or the smell of freshly scraped bark. They explain how certain insects indicate soil health, how particular bird calls precede weather shifts, and how the forest regenerates itself when left untouched.
Conservation
Community Involvement
Community Involvement
LIVE FOUNDATION honours and records these indigenous conservation practices—especially their in-situ preservation systems, such as sacred groves, selective harvesting rules, rotational use of forest patches, and non-intrusive grazing methods. These practices are aligned with modern ecology’s emphasis on minimal disturbance and habitat integrity.
Science VS Tradition
Community Involvement
Forest Resource Mapping
What emerges from this union of science and tradition is a biodiversity register that is not merely a list, but an ecological narrative—precise, dynamic, and community-rooted. It serves as both a conservation instrument and a living testament to the forest’s resilience, ensuring that flora and fauna continue to thrive under the guardianship of its original custodians and a committed organization that walks the forest slowly, respectfully, and scientifically.
Forest Resource Mapping
Biodiversity Inventorying
Forest Resource Mapping
The mapping process involved participatory methods where community members identified and documented local forest resources alongside project facilitators, ensuring both ecological and practical knowledge guided the mapping. Community members played a central role by contributing their insights, leading activities on the ground, and taking ownership of the resulting data for effective resource management and planning.
Forest Transect Walk
Biodiversity Inventorying
Biodiversity Inventorying
At LIVE FOUNDATION, we conduct forest transect walks by moving through different forest zones alongside community members, closely observing and documenting the landscape, vegetation patterns, soil conditions, water sources, and the overall resource profile. As we walk together, community elders and knowledge-holders help identify ecological indicators—areas rich in medicinal plants, sites preferred by wildlife, patches suitable for host-tree growth, or zones showing signs of degradation. Their lived experience adds depth and accuracy that no external assessment can achieve.
Biodiversity Inventorying
Biodiversity Inventorying
Biodiversity Inventorying
LIVE Foundation conducted a focused forest resource inventory to complement the transect walks and deepen understanding of local biodiversity.
During this Transect Walk and forest resource inventory, the team systematically documented key forest resources such as medicinal herbs, shrubs, and other useful plant species that community members regularly use or recognize as important. Community elders and knowledge-holders guided the identification of recurring medicinal plants and shrub species across different patches, helping to map where identical or similar species clusters occur within the landscape. This process generated a grounded picture of species distribution and availability, which can feed into more informed, community-led decisions on sustainable use, protection zones, and future forest management planning.