CORD; right since inception focussed on the socio-economic and cultural development of the most deprived and exploited Adivasi sections of the society. The strategy applied was social and economic emancipation and empowerment of the lot and directing them to become masters of their own destiny and emerge as a viable community with their distinct identity.

The aforesaid being the singular objective, CORD carried through this mission with the inputs of social education that opened the people to realities of life and conditioned them to seek and avail their legitimate rights. The organisational input aiming at their collectivism contributed to the building up of the people through the emergence of a cadre based People’s Organisation called Budakattu Krishikara Sangha (BKS) meaning "Tribal Cultivators’ Associations" with a strength of over 30,000 members constituted by 161 settlements.

Subsequent to the building up of collective bargaining power, it was the felt need of the people to embark on certain economic activities and CORD had to face the task of helping the poor with provisions for skill orientation and subsidiary occupation identification aiming at income generation.

Close on the heels of such efforts, came the calamity in the form of dislocation of 58 settlements with a population of over 7000 coexisting with the natural environs of their legitimate abode, that is Rajiv Gandhi National Park at Nagarhole since time immemorial. Yet again history was made with the tribals winning the case in their own favour against the multinational, corporate houses and even a world body and the verdict in their favour came from none lesser than the Supreme Court of India. Well CORD could gratefully turn back to see its meaningful contribution to the cause of its commitment and look forward to leap still greater heights.