The compendium of 15 papers, presented at a National Conference, organized by the Department of History, Tata College, Chaibasa, examines the symbiotic link between the forests and the tribal life in India. Arguing that the government should not ignore this close link while framing forest rules and initiating development programmes, it addresses issues pertaining to forest laws, ecological ideologies, social protest, forest protection and development. The book is useful for researchers, policy-makers and development workers.