Social Changes Among Malayali Tribes Of Eastern Ghats

This paper provides an overview of the culture and ecology of the Eastern Ghats in southern India. Both the forests and tribal communities of this region are threatened by an increasing number of environmentally destructive commercial ventures operating in the area. A case study presents tribal habitat and communities in Andhra Pradesh that were disrupted by illegal mining operations. Linking environmental degradation and social domination, the study traces the efforts of a local nongovernment organization to empower tribal communities to protect their habitat and livelihood. Social, political, and economic issues become environmentally charged as the sustainable use and management of land depends on strengthening viable, local communities with control over their own bioresources. The study also illustrates how the promotion of ecologically sound land-use and land-management decisions in tribal communities contributes to community building and empowerment.

Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), also known as Monkey Fever, is an important tick-borne viral infection in India. It is mainly transmitted by the hard tick vector, Haemaphysalis spinigera. This re-emerging viral disease in humans has a mortality rate of 2-10% and was first reported in the Shimoga district of Karnataka in 1957. In recent years, KFD has been reported from various parts of the country, indicating possible geographical expansion and wider distribution of the tick vector. Assessing the distinct populations of H. spinigera and their local adaptations is important. However, the genetic structure of this vector population remains undocumented due to the lack of well-characterized genetic markers. Although the distribution of H. spinigera has been described, information on its genetic diversity and population structure is still limited. In this study, we characterized and validated a mitochondrial marker, 12S rRNA for assessing the genetic diversity of H. spinigera in Eastern and Western Ghats of India. Analysis of ninety individual ticks revealed a genetically diverse population comprising three haplotypes, which formed three distinct clades. These clades included haplotypes from nine geographical populations. Understanding the genetic structure of tick vectors is crucial for studying the transmission dynamics of tick-borne diseases. Our findings suggest that 12S rRNA is a suitable genetic marker for studying intraspecific variation in H. spinigera. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first to report the population structure of H. spinigera, highlighting its genetic diversity in the Western and Eastern Ghats of India.

Ethnoveterinary medicine of the Shervaroy Hills of Eastern Ghats, India as alternative medicine for animals

The Biligiriranga Swamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRTTR) is a chain of hills and important ecosystems, which forms the biogeographic ridge between two biodiversity rich areas namely the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats of India. The hills are being resided by the Soliga tribal community for the centuries and accorded with a status of Tiger reserve in December 2010 under Project Tiger administered by National Tiger Conservation Authority. The study was done on the traditional ecological knowledge of the people in healthcare system. A total of 108 plants belonging to 51 families have been identified, which the Soliga tribal community uses for curing various ailments. The local name, part used, disease cured and prescribed dosage are properly documented while developing detailed inventory on the plant biodiversity of the region. The ecological status of the plant species is also reported to understand their conservation status at global level. The ailments listed are categorized in major and minor ailments. The results indicate that 76% people still depend on traditional health care systems to cure minor ailments. However, 04% people depend on the traditional health care system to cure major diseases. And 33% people were found to be followed traditional and allopathic treatment for curing the major ailments like arthritis, asthma, diabetes, kidney stones, tuberculosis etc. Among the recorded species 09 are found under vulnerable category, followed by endangered (07), endemic (03), low risk-least concerned (02) and data deficient (01). Keeping change in policy scenario in view there would be possibility to relocate tribal community from some of the areas in core of BRTTR to other places. This shift coupled with various other factors for example restrictions on the collection of forest resources, change in socioeconomic setup, and acculturation which is taking place in the society, the ecological and indigenous knowledge of the region would face danger of vanishing. This study support India's initiatives of protecting TEK from patent issues where non-codified information was codified for the future use. And argues that the biodiversity conservation in protected areas requires regular monitoring of various species within the purview of human interactions on ecosystems for various needs.

Introduction: Stress is a significant contributor to various health disorders, often linked to elevated cortisol levels mediated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Salivary cortisol measurement is a reliable, non-invasive biomarker for assessing stress. This study aimed to compare salivary cortisol levels between the Malayali tribal population in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu and a non-tribal urban control group to evaluate stress differences and explore potential socio-environmental influences on cortisol levels. Methods: An in-vitro study was conducted between July and August 2024, involving 44 participants divided into two groups: Malayali tribes (n = 22) and non-tribal individuals (n = 22). Saliva samples were collected using the passive drool technique and analyzed using the Abbkine Human Cortisol ELISA Kit. Environmental and lifestyle factors, including dietary habits and occupational stress, were recorded to assess potential confounders. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis, with significance set at p<0.05. Results: The Malayali tribal group exhibited significantly higher mean salivary cortisol levels (13.44±2.15 µg/L) compared to the non-tribal group (8.73±1.85 µg/L) (p<0.05). Optical density values were also notably higher in the tribal group, reinforcing the elevated cortisol concentration. The ELISA assay demonstrated a non-linear relationship between optical density and cortisol concentration. The findings suggest that socio-economic challenges, environmental hardships and limited healthcare access may contribute to heightened stress levels in the tribal population. Conclusion: The study revealed significantly higher stress levels in the Malayali tribal population than in their non-tribal counterparts, likely driven by socio-environmental stressors. These results emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions such as culturally adapted stress management programs, improved healthcare access and educational initiatives to mitigate chronic stress in tribal communities. Future research should explore broader sample sizes, longitudinal stress assessments and the role of cultural practices in influencing stress responses.

Tamil Nadu consists of the Eastern and Western Ghats. There are thirty-six tribal people living in these hills including "Adiyaan, Aranaadan, Eravaalan, Irular, Oorali, and Kaniyan." The Eastern Ghats have Javvaadhumalai, Yelagirimalai, Kalvarayanmalai, Servarayanmalai, Chitherimalai, Pachaimalai, Paalamalai, Vattalmalai, Neyyaamalai, Jarugumalai, Parukkurmalai, Kaalimalai, Kadakadalai, and Kollimalai hills. The divisions of the population living in the Western Ghats cannot be seen in these hills. The hills are mainly inhabited by Malayali tribes. The life of these javvaadhu hill people is a simple life. They are also preserving the arts according to the environment in which they live. The oral literature in their case helps to know the life and culture of the hill people.

Liminality, the unique state of in-betweenness is a form of social interaction that continues to shape the human society. The role of liminality is effectively explored through the performance theory that analyses human actions as parts of performance. Being the second phase of the performance, liminality offers an insight into the actions of the individuals who perform. The phase of liminality is not strangulated and is often analysed with the other two phases of separation and aggregation. Liminality that signifies transition is prominently evident in Malayali tribes, one of the largest tribal groups that occupy the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu. The rich and diversified practices and traditions of the tribe is a distinct portrayal of the Indian tribal culture. The culture of the Malayali tribe is exhibited through their lifestyle, food, dance and music that define their uniqueness. The study is an attempt to identify the stages of performance through the lifestyle of the Malayali tribes. It aims to bring out the elements of liminality that distinguished the tribes. It explores Victor Turner’s idea of communitas evident in the Malayali tribes that endorses the equality among all human beings. The research sets out to analyse the integral role of food, music and dance in binding the culture of the people. It aims to uncover the mysticity that is observed during the liminal phase. It is an exploration of the intrinsic human bond that is manifested through the Malayali tribes.

The study provides nutritional profiling of unexploited little millets from Eastern Ghats, which has ample opportunities for future breeding programs for enhancing the food quality and holds great potential in food industry. Little millet is an important small millet native to the Indian subcontinent and their nutritional value has been underutilized compared to other cereals. It's nutritional and nutraceutical profiling is essential to integrate the plants in developmental interventions. The present study evaluated comprehensive nutritional, nutraceutical and physico-functional properties of 14 selected little millet genotypes originated from Eastern Ghats of India and compared them with an improved variety (OLM 208) of the locality. The proximate compositions (per 100g) showed significant variations, with moisture content ranging from 4.13 to 8.48g, ash from 1.90 to 5.15g, fat from 2.35 to 5.74g, protein from 10.46 to 13.83g, carbohydrate from 70.92 to 77.89g, fiber from 2.03 to 7.82g and energy from 372.8 to 391.1kcal. These little millet flours are rich in phenol 5.37-12.73mg/g, flavonoid 1.06-8.25µg/g, vitamin C 12.72-22.86µg/g, antioxidants 7.22-23.17%, iron 20.38 to 61.60mg/ kg and zinc 17.47 to 37.59mg/ kg. The first two components of principal component analysis captures 73.0% of the total variation, which reflected huge variability among the investigated genotypes. Maximum heritability and genetic advance were recorded in flavonoid, fiber, iron, zinc, phenol and vitamin C across the populations. Taken together, some indigenous little millet genotypes such as Mami, Kalia and Bada, were exceptionally rich in fiber, protein, energy, flavonoid, vitamin C and antioxidants and are nutritionally superior compared to other varieties from the locality. These nutrition rich little millet genotypes have ample opportunities for future breeding programs to enhance the cereal quality and holds great potential in food industry for making high value functional foods.

We present light and SEM observations of a new astigmate gomphonemoid diatom from the Eastern Ghats of India. This species, and a closely allied one from the Western Ghats that has a stigma, are similar to other members of the Gomphonemataceae in terms of symmetry and certain valve features. They differ, however, in having groups of differentiated pore fields at both apices. At the headpole, the area bearing the groups of pores is flattened and positioned on the valve mantle, and is not easily seen in light microscopy. For these species we propose the genus Indiconema gen. nov. within the Gomphonemataceae. We evaluate the phylogenetic position of this group and relationships within the family based on valve and girdle band features, which suggest that the new genus is sister to Afrocymbella, a genus apparently endemic to Africa. We compare this basal phylogenetic position with other groups of organisms also found in the Western and Eastern Ghats of India, as well as to fossil taxa in the Gomphonemataceae. The sister taxon relationship with a genus known only from Africa supports a close relationship of the floras of the two regions.

Long-term land use and land cover changes (1920–2015) in Eastern Ghats, India: Pattern of dynamics and challenges in plant species conservation

The Nilgiri Hills are home to several tribal communities, each with their distinct culture and language. Effective communication is crucial for their social, economic, and cultural well-being. However, the region's remote and rugged terrain, limited infrastructure, and socio-economic constraints pose significant challenges to communication. Language plays a vital role in shaping their identity, culture, and daily life. However, the region's linguistic diversity faces challenges due to urbanization, migration, and globalization.This study investigates the communication networks and challenges faced by tribal communities in the Nilgiri Hills. We conducted interviews and surveys among three tribal groups, examining their access to and utilization of communication channels. Our findings highlight limited access to modern communication technologies, reliance on traditional modes, and significant barriers to effective communication. We discuss the implications for social inclusion, economic development, and cultural preservation, and propose strategies for improving communication infrastructure and addressing the unique needs of these communities. This study delves into the linguistic behavior and problems faced by tribal communities in the Nilgiris Hills, a region renowned for its linguistic diversity. Through a mixed-methods approach, we investigated language use, language attitudes, and language challenges among three tribal groups: Toda, Kota, and Irula. Our findings reveal a complex linguistic landscape, with language shift, language loss, and language maintenance efforts. We discuss the implications for language preservation, education, and social inclusion, and propose strategies for supporting linguistic diversity and addressing linguistic problems in these communities.Methodology: We conducted interviews with 100 participants from three tribal groups (Toda, Kota, and Irula) and surveyed 50 households. We examined access to and usage of communication channels, including mobile phones, internet, radio, and traditional modes. We employed a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys, interviews, and focus groups with 300 participants from the three tribal groups. We examined language use, language attitudes, language proficiency, and language challenges.Conclusion: Enhancing communication networks and addressing the unique challenges faced by tribal communities in the Nilgiri Hills is crucial for their social inclusion, economic development, and cultural preservation. By bridging the communication gap, we can empower these communities to access information, resources, and opportunities, ultimately improving their overall well-being. The linguistic diversity of the Nilgiri Hills' tribal communities is a valuable asset, but faces significant challenges. By understanding the linguistic behavior and problems, we can develop targeted strategies to support language preservation, education, and social inclusion. Empowering these communities to maintain and promote their languages will enrich India's linguistic heritage and foster a more inclusive society.In total this study examines multilingualism among tribal communities in the Nilgiri Hills, a region known for its linguistic diversity. Through a mixed-methods approach, we investigated language use, language proficiency, and language attitudes among three tribal groups: Toda, Kota, and Irula. Our findings reveal a complex multilingual landscape, with tribal languages, dominant languages (Tamil, Malayalam), and bilingualism/multilingualism. We discuss the implications for language preservation, education, and social inclusion, and propose strategies for supporting multilingualism and linguistic diversity in these communities.

A systematic survey was carried out during November 2013 to October 2019 to document the grass flora occurring in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Eastern Ghats in India. A total of 175 species belonging to 73 genera and 8 subfamilies were recorded. Panicoideae is the most dominant subfamily with 112 species followed by Chloridoideae (41 species). Among the 71 genera recorded, Eragrostis is the dominant genus (15 species) followed by Panicum (10 species) and Digitaria (8 species). Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve harbours 37.55% of Tamil Nadu state's grass flora.

Fire is known to have dramatic consequences on forest ecosystems around the world and on the livelihoods of forest‐dependent people. While the Eastern Ghats of India have high abundances of fire‐prone dry tropical forests, little is known about how fire influences the diversity, composition, and structure of these communities. Our study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by examining the effects of the presence and the absence of recent fire on tropical dry forest communities within the Kadiri watershed, Eastern Ghats. We sampled plots with and without evidence of recent fire in the Eswaramala Reserve Forest in 2008 and 2018. Our results indicate that even though stem density increases in the recently burned areas, species richness is lower because communities become dominated by a few species with fire resistance and tolerance traits, such as thick bark and clonal sprouting. Further, in the presence of fire, the size structure of these fire‐tolerant species shifts toward smaller‐sized, resprouting individuals. Our results demonstrate that conservation actions are needed to prevent further degradation of forests in this region and the ecosystem services they provide.

This paper explores the relationship between British colonial rule and contemporary conflict in India. We argue that colonialism generated deep-seated grievances among tribal and low-caste communities that have ultimately resulted in armed conflict in rural areas. We identify three mechanisms that have given rise to conflict. First, the British exacerbated land inequality in rural areas by granting land ownership rights to zamindars and commandeering forest lands upon which tribal populations rely for sustenance. Second, the British state reified social inequalities in tribal and low-caste areas through their systematic categorization and ranking of caste and tribal communities. Finally, the British instituted a new bureaucratic apparatus that cemented these social inequalities through administrative practice, thereby fostering distrust of India’s legal system among low-caste and tribal groups. The hierarchical social and exploitative economic relationships that originated in the colonial period have had long-term deleterious effects on political stability in the countryside. We test this argument by looking at data on the current Naxalite conflict, which has been fueled by the grievances of tribal and low-caste groups. We analyze conflict outcomes in 595 districts from 2004-2009, specifically comparing areas that were under British rule with those that remained under the rule of native kings.

The Indian sub-continent is endowed with a huge plant biodiversity. The two important landscapes, viz. the Himalayas and the Western Ghats in India, are the home for more than 6,000 endemic plant species thus listed among the 34 biodiversity hotspots worldwide. We have carried out a study in the Nilgiris, located in Western Ghats, India to understand the human and plant interactions and role of plant bio-diversity in ecosystem conservation and development of the local economy. The majority of the people in the study region are non-tribal and about 15% belong to various tribal communities. Tribal people remained isolated from the main stream for the last generations so, they are still different from other communities in terms of their unique cultural practices. These tribal groups have been using a variety of wild plants to cure various ailments in their traditional health care system. More specifically, their unique medicinal practices were not known to the other communities of the region and have so far been poorly documented. The objective of this current study was to document the ethnic knowledge on medicinal plants in their cross cultural practices used by the various tribal groups of the Nilgiris in Western Ghats. Since the Nilgiris is the confluence of the Western and the Eastern Ghats, two of the most floristically rich areas in India, they support diverse communities of flora and fauna. The study encompasses documenting medicinal plants used by different tribal communities, the market economics of some of these medicinal plants, the interest of people on traditional medicine and domestication of medicinal plants. The study found that traditional medicinal practices are deteriorating at a much faster rate, due to acculturation taking place in the society on one hand and the influence of allopathic medicinal practices on the other. The economic status of these tribal people, as thoroughly discussed in this article, can be improved by helping them with training in processing and marketing of the medicinal plants. At the beginning, kitchen gardening should be used for demonstrating the cultivation practices of medicinal plants, while selecting some important endangered species. Once farmers are well versed with the technical know-how of cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, then the area of such herbal gardens can be expanded in the form of bringing them under cultivation in the main agricultural land used in the region. With the help of a few successful demonstration models, this approach will be a new means of conservation through cultivation, and simultaneously, the interest of young minds shall be ignited for conservation and sustainable livelihood development.