Five years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic halted the world, thrusting humanity into a crisis marked by collapsing health systems, shattered livelihoods, and widespread food shortages. Yet, amidst this global upheaval, three forest-dwelling villages in the eastern part of Maharashtra— Dhamditola (Gondia district), Pachgaon (Chandrapur district), and Payvihir (Amravati district)— discovered a vital source of strength and resilience in the very forests that surrounded them. For these communities, the forest was not merely a collection of trees but their very lifeline. “The forest has always been our protector,” an elder from one village shared. “It is where we find everything we need to survive.” Extensive fieldwork conducted in 2023 and 2024 uncovered how, during the pandemic, the forest became a crucial safety net. “It never failed us,” His wife added.