1. The people of Bastar showed respect to the spirits of the river, the forest and the mountain. Since each village knew its boundary the local people looked after all the natural resources within their boundary.
2. If the people from a village wanted to take some wood from forests of another village, they paid a small fee called 'devsari,' 'dand' or 'man' in exchange.
3. Some villagers also protected their forests by engaging watchmen and each household contributed some grain to pay them.
4. Every year there was one big hunt where the headman of villages in a 'pargana' met and discussed issues of concern, including forests.
