Indigenous Technical Knowledge (ITK) plays a vital role in sustainable and eco-friendly crop protection, particularly in tribal farming systems. The present study documents and analyzes the traditional practice of using an effigy locally known as Palabhuta for crop protection in the tribal districts of Odisha, with specific reference to villages of Khairiput block in Malkangiri district. The practice is predominantly followed by tribal communities cultivating millets, paddy, pulses, oilseeds, maize, and vegetables under rainfed and terrace farming systems near forest fringes. Palabhuta is a farmer-made effigy constructed from locally available materials such as paddy straw, bamboo or wooden poles, earthen pots, cloth, and reflective materials. Installed at 4?5 units per acre and periodically repositioned, it creates visual, auditory, and psychological deterrence against granivorous birds and wild animals, especially monkeys, which cause significant crop damage. Variations such as reflective decorations, sound-producing drums, and symbolic elements like a dummy gun enhance its effectiveness. The practice is cost-effective, easy to adopt, non-toxic, and environmentally safe, making it suitable for resource-poor farmers and farm women. Beyond pest deterrence, Palabhuta also reflects socio-cultural beliefs related to protection from theft and evil influences. The study highlights Palabhuta as a sustainable, gender-inclusive indigenous innovation that complements modern crop protection approaches and supports climateresilient, low-input agriculture in tribal regions.