Located at a height of 3500 feet above sea level and nestled in the lap of the Eastern Ghats of India, Koraput district in the state of Odisha is a spectacular place with lush greenery, majestic mountains, fast-flowing rivers and all the more lovely, hospitable and down-to-earth people – the Bondas, a vulnerable tribal group known for their secluded lives away from the mainstream. But the lack of access has not prevented young Bondas from leaving their homes in search of a better life, even low-paid jobs in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other states. The COVID-19 pandemic further threw their lives out of gear and forced them to cross borders to put food on the table. Mounting economic pressures have triggered the disturbing trend of young Bondas leaving their education and entering into a very high-risk labour market.