Source: TH

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Context :

Recently, The Soliga Tribe was in the news because the Prime Minister of India highlighted their efforts in tiger conservation during the 119th edition of Mann Ki Baat.

The Prime Minister appreciated their important role in the conservation of tigers in the BRT Tiger Reserve.  

About the Soliga Tribe:

• Location and Population: The Soliga Tribe is an indigenous, forest dwelling group.
• It is mostly found in the forest regions of Tamil Nadu & Karnataka near the Biligiri Rangana Hills & Male Mahadeshwara Hills.
• Name Origin: The name Soliga means children of bamboo. It shows their close relationship with nature & their belief that they are born from it.
• Historical Significance: In 2011, The Soliga Tribe became the 1st tribal community When they started living inside a tiger reserve. It happened because the court recognised their forest rights.  

Language and Culture

• Language: The Soliga people speak Sholaga. It is a Dravidian language. They also speak in Kannada & Tamil.
• Housing: The Soliga live in small, single room huts made from bamboo & mud.
• Cultural Beliefs: The tribe practices Hindu customs. But they also follow traditions related to nature & animals.

Economy of the Soliga Tribe

• Traditional Livelihood: The economy of these tribes is mainly based on shifting cultivation and the collection of minor forest products. This includes honey  which is a part of their diet.
• Biodiversity: The Soliga people get their food from the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

About Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT):

• It is Located in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka.
• It is situated between the Western and Eastern Ghats.
• It is Named after "BILIGIRI" (white rocky cliff) & the temple of Lord Vishnu, locally called 'Rangaswamy.'
• It was Declared a Tiger Reserve in 2011.
• It Covers an area of 574.82 sq.km.
• Its Vegetation is primarily dry deciduous forest, with patches of moist deciduous, semi evergreen, evergreen, & shola forests at varying altitudes.
• Flora includes Anogeissus latifolia, Dalbergia paniculata, Grewia teliaefolia, Terminalia alata, Terminalia bellirica, & Terminalia paniculata.
• Fauna includes tigers, elephants, leopards, wild dogs, bison, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, 4 horned antelope, sloth bears, wild boars, common langurs, bonnet macaques, & various reptiles & birds.

Source:

TH