Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve - Equitable Tourism Options

Demographic profi le:
A total of about 32000 adivasis reside in and around the National Park,
spread over three taluks of Virajpet (Kodagu District) , H. D. Kote and H unsur
taluks (Mysore District). The number of haadis (villages) is 138 of which 58
are in the National Park. Ofthe 58 within the park, 33 are in the Virajpettaluk,
while 22 in H.D.Kote and 3 in Hunsur. Within a five-kilometre distance from
the park boundary, another 23,000 adivasis reside in 90 haadis spread out
over four administrative zones. Literacy rates among elderly persons are
3%, adults are about 10% and among children it is 50%. Most of the adivasis
depend on their traditional methods of health care. However, allopathic
medical facilities are available at a distance of 20 kms from the park.
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Resident tribes of the area are the Jenukurubas (Honey gatherers).
Bettakurubas (Hill Kurubas), Yeravas, Soligas and sub castes ofYeravas i.e.
Panjeri Yeravas and Pani-Yeravas.
Jenukurubas:
The Jenukurubas are the dominant tribe of the area and are primarily
hunters/ gatherers. They earn their name from the fact that they are expert
gatherers of wild honey.
Bettakurubas:
The Bettakurubas specialise in the crafting of bamboo utensils.
Yeravas:
The Yeravas are the fishing community. They also practise sustenance
agriculture.
Soligas:
The Soligas are food gatherers who have also diversified into marginal
agriculture and pastoral activities.
Primary Occupation:
Their traditional rights of access to the forest and its resources have been
severely curtailed subsequent to the declaration of the National park. Each
time the area was extended, the community were pushed further away from
Nilagiris : Fading Glory 30