In News:

In the 119th edition of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Soliga tribe of the BiligiriRanganathaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve in Karnataka for their significant role in tiger conservation and sustainable forest practices.

Who are the Soligas?

• Location: Indigenous, forest-dwelling tribe residing primarily in Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, and parts of Tamil Nadu, especially around Biligiri Rangana Hills and Male Mahadeshwara Hills.
• Meaning of the Name: "Soliga" translates to “children of bamboo”, symbolizing their deep ecological ties.
• Language: They speak Sholaga (a Dravidian language), along with Kannada and Tamil.
• Lifestyle:Soligas live in bamboo-and-mud huts, practice shifting cultivation, and depend on non-timber forest produce (NTFP) for sustenance.
• Diet & Livelihood:Honey is a staple in their diet; they extensively forage and harvest forest produce like amla, gooseberries, and medicinal herbs, leaving a portion for wildlife—a reflection of their conservation ethos.

Religious and Cultural Practices:

• Soligasworship wildlife, especially the tiger, locally called “DoddaNayi” (Great Dog). They have even built temples dedicated to tigers.
• Their belief system includes Hindu customs, animism, and naturism, highlighting their spiritual connection with nature.
• They produce eco-friendly artifacts like ‘jottai’ (leaf cups), showcasing sustainable craftsmanship.

Recognition of Forest Rights:

• In 2011, Soligas became the first tribal community in India to receive legal recognition of their forest rights within a tiger reserve, under the Forest Rights Act (FRA).
• This ruling allowed them to reside within the BRT Tiger Reserve and sustainably collect forest produce without displacing wildlife.

Role in Tiger Conservation:

• Soligas’ traditional knowledge of forest ecology helps them coexist peacefully with wildlife, minimizing human-animal conflict.
• They assist the Forest Department in fire prevention, wildlife tracking, and ecological management.
• Their cultural practices ensure minimal disturbance to wildlife. For instance, during harvest, they intentionally leave 25–33% of the produce in the forest for animals.

BiligiriRanganathaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve:

• Location: Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka; lies at the confluence of the Western and Eastern Ghats, forming a critical wildlife corridor.
• Ecosystem: Rich in biodiversity with forest types including:
  • Southern Tropical Evergreen
  • Semi-Evergreen
  • Moist Deciduous
• Flora:Axlewood, Rosewood, Terminalia spp., Indian Gooseberry, Ceylon Oak, Golden Shower Tree.
• Fauna: Tigers, Wild Dogs, Sloth Bears, Sambars, Bison, and endangered species like the Icthyophisghytinosus (Caecilian).
• Cultural Site: Named after Lord Rangaswamy, the reserve houses the Biligiri Temple atop mist-covered hills.