Malasars
The Malasars are found both in the district of Coimbatore and in the adjoining parts of Kerala. These people are a forest community, living on marginal cultivation (slash & burn), and collection of NTFPs. A large part of their diet also consists of wild yam (Dioscorea spp.). The Malasars live in low elevations and almost […]
Todas
Though very few in number, approximately 1500 people, this community is well known for their distinct features and traditions. They are scattered over 40 settlements in the Nilgiris. They are pastoralists, breeding buffaloes for both custom and livelihood. Their traditional huts, like igloos, are made of different products from the forest. Due to the nature […]
Betta Kurumbas
The Betta Kurumbas live in northern parts of Gudalur, extending into the Mysore district in the north. These people live in large settlements of 60-80 households. Most have no land and depend on wage labour and NTFP collection for a large part of the year. With the rapid change to tea cultivation in Gudalur area, […]
Protected Areas
The large contiguous extent of forest has the highest density of protected areas in the entire nation for so small an area. No. Name District Area (ha) Notification Perceived Threats 1 Mudumalai WLS & NP Nilgiris 21776 27.01.1940 Exotics, anthropogenic pressures 2 Mukurthi NP Nilgiris 7846 15.10.1991 Introduction of exotics, poaching 3 Wyanad Wyanad 34444 […]
Kattunaickens
The Kattunaicken get their name from the words `kadu'(forests) & nayakan (leader/chief) and live in parts of Gudalur. They live as a nuclear family and follow patriarchy. However, land ownership is not common. The primary occupation of this community is based on hunting and gathering, especially honey. The Kattunaikans, now live near or inside estates […]
Irulas
Anthropologists do not consider them original inhabitants of hills. They have moved up to the mountains either for wage labour or while doing slash and burn agriculture. Usually, the Irulas have very little link to the other adivasis in the region, except with the Kurumbas. They have a more plains-ward movement and associate with agricultural […]
Nilgiris Water Portal
The Nilgiris, Blue Mountains of South India, is located at the junction of the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats, the two prominent mountain ranges that run almost parallel to the coastlines of Peninsular India. The high hills are a wonderful gift of Nature. Widespread forests and abundant water sources make the hills a fountainhead […]
Nilgiris Water Portal
“This site is being developed by Keystone Foundation, Kotagiri to share information related to their work on water resources in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve over the years. As usual, all the information would be available under a Creative Commons License for anyone to use. We will go live shortly. Please bookmark this site and visit […]
