Soliga Tribe

PRELIMS BITS – TRIBES

• Habitat:
  • They are a nomadic tribal community living in the Biligiriranga Hills region of Southern Karnataka and parts of Tamil Nadu.
• Forest Rights:
  • In 2011, they became the first tribal community to secure legal rights to the forest while living inside a tiger reserve.
• Livelihood:
  • Depend on forest produce like honey, berries, and timber.
  • Practice subsistence agriculture.
• Language:
  • Speak Soliga, a Dravidian language closely related to Kannada.
• Religious & Cultural Beliefs:
  • Worship tigers as sacred beings and call the tiger “Dodda Nayi” (Big Dog).