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).