Kerala Tourism has sketched out a plan for adventure tourism in Edamalakudy tribal area in Idukki. Idukki is one of the districts in Kerala where majority of tribals exists.

Edamalakudy, the first tribal grama panchayat in the State, was carved out of Munnar grama panchayat.  To reach Edamalakudy, one has to travel about 20 km by jeep till Pettimudy, and walk on foot for another 15 km through dense forest tract. The tribal settlement has 28 Muthuvan hamlets, each lying three to four km away from each other. The Muthuvan tribe here is one of the most reclusive forest tribes in the State. They have a distinct tradition and lifestyle.

One can walk through the idyllic landscape, guided by the Tribal people, who have intimate knowledge of the forest terrain, on a daylong adventure. Different nature trails traversing diverse habitats form the trekking routes, generally 10 to 15 km in length. Hosted and accompanied by trained local tribes, the visitors can go for trekking and bird watching in the many trails around. Wilderness night camps will be the highlight of the trail.

The development of this area will benefit tribals and offer job opportunities for them. As a result, their standard of living will be raised.

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Edamalakudy soon an adventure spot

 

Idukki: Edamalakudy, the first tribal grama panchayat (local administrative unit) in Kerala, is set to become one of the best adventure tourism destinations in the state. A project similar to the tiger trail trip in Thekkady will soon be launched in Edamalakudy.

Edamalakudy tribal settlement is known for the Muthuvan tribals and is situated around 22 km from Pettimudi, which is the farthest spot one can go on a vehicle. Pettimudi is about 16 km from Munnar in Idukki district.

This new project undertaken by the Forest Department, aims to help the socially and economically backward tribal people in Edamalakudy. The trekking programmes are expected to attract many tourists to Edamalakudy.

The tour to Edamalakudy, lasting three to four days, will be an adventurous one and will start from Kochi. To reach Edamalakudy one will have to walk more than 18 km through a tricky path, which will take about a day. Temporary stays will be arranged en route for tourists to spend time on sightseeing.

Tourists can spot wild animals and enjoy the beauty of waterfalls on the way. Accompanied by Forests Department officials and tribesmen, the tourists will also be able to stay at the Edamalakudy forest camp. The Forest Department will purchase two jeeps for conducting the services. Tags :

Womenfolk who refuse to look at strangers, young boys who learn to live away from family at the age of five, and men who spend most of the time roving around in dense forest. The otherworldly life of the Muthuvan tribals of Edamalakudy, the first tribal panchayat in the State, could seem bewildering for most.

Living deep inside the forests of Elamalakkadu worshiping trees and nature, the Muthuvan tribals refuse to live any differently, says K.P. Subhash Chandran, author of the book Edamalakudy , one of few works on the Muthuvan tribe.

Released in Thiruvananthapuram recently, the book published by Konattu Publications, takes a peek into the life and customs of this ancient tribe which is believed to have migrated to Kerala from Madurai during the 18th century.

The former Speaker K. Radhakrishnan, who was instrumental in elevating Edamalakudy as a panchayat, has written the foreword for the book which has been written on the backdrop of the first election held at the panchayat in October 2010.

Mr. Chandran observes the introduction of politics, election, and panchayat system in the tribal settlement in the book. On Wednesday, the Edamalakudy panchayat celebrates its first anniversary.

“The Edamalakudy tribal settlement is 22 km from Pettimudi, which is the farthest you can go on vehicle. Pettimudi is 16 km from Munnar. From Pettimudi it takes a six-hour trek on a narrow trail to reach the nearest settlement. The sheer distance from mainstream society could be one of the reasons that has kept this tribe immune to any kind of development,” said Mr. Chandran, adding that for the first time, officials who went on election duty at Edamalakudy were given an insurance coverage of Rs.10 lakh considering the ‘hazardous' environment they had to work in.

For decades, the Muthuvan tribe, spread over 28 settlements across 36,000 acres of forest land, has been leading a primitive life. There are no schools or primary health centres here. The few one-teacher schools with classes up to fourth standard are the only “stride” that Edamalakudy has made in the field of education.

The tribal people still depend largely on food collected from the forest as even the ration rice provided by the government at Rs.1 a kg cost them around Rs.12.50 because of the loading charge.

“In fact, this will be the only panchayat in the State that is yet to open a bank account. This itself shows that no scheme or project has been taken up in the panchayat so far,” Mr.Chandran said.

The Muthuvan tribals continue to cling closely to their rituals and beliefs that raise several questions on women's and children's rights and health. The practice of housing women separately during their periods and using primitive techniques for childbirth are still followed.

Kudi Kani or tribal chief is still revered as the master of the tribe and interestingly it is his wife Kanni Ammal who has been elected the panchayat president.

Mr. Chandran said apart from providing basic infrastructure, the government must focus on providing training on local governance to the elected members of the Edamalakudy to ensure development of the panchayat.

Womenfolk who refuse to look at strangers, young boys who learn to live away from family at the age of five, and men who spend most of the time roving around in dense forest. The otherworldly life of the Muthuvan tribals of Edamalakudy, the first tribal panchayat in the State, could seem bewildering for most.

Living deep inside the forests of Elamalakkadu worshiping trees and nature, the Muthuvan tribals refuse to live any differently, says K.P. Subhash Chandran, author of the book Edamalakudy , one of few works on the Muthuvan tribe.

Released in Thiruvananthapuram recently, the book published by Konattu Publications, takes a peek into the life and customs of this ancient tribe which is believed to have migrated to Kerala from Madurai during the 18th century.

The former Speaker K. Radhakrishnan, who was instrumental in elevating Edamalakudy as a panchayat, has written the foreword for the book which has been written on the backdrop of the first election held at the panchayat in October 2010.

Mr. Chandran observes the introduction of politics, election, and panchayat system in the tribal settlement in the book. On Wednesday, the Edamalakudy panchayat celebrates its first anniversary.

“The Edamalakudy tribal settlement is 22 km from Pettimudi, which is the farthest you can go on vehicle. Pettimudi is 16 km from Munnar. From Pettimudi it takes a six-hour trek on a narrow trail to reach the nearest settlement. The sheer distance from mainstream society could be one of the reasons that has kept this tribe immune to any kind of development,” said Mr. Chandran, adding that for the first time, officials who went on election duty at Edamalakudy were given an insurance coverage of Rs.10 lakh considering the ‘hazardous' environment they had to work in.

For decades, the Muthuvan tribe, spread over 28 settlements across 36,000 acres of forest land, has been leading a primitive life. There are no schools or primary health centres here. The few one-teacher schools with classes up to fourth standard are the only “stride” that Edamalakudy has made in the field of education.

The tribal people still depend largely on food collected from the forest as even the ration rice provided by the government at Rs.1 a kg cost them around Rs.12.50 because of the loading charge.

“In fact, this will be the only panchayat in the State that is yet to open a bank account. This itself shows that no scheme or project has been taken up in the panchayat so far,” Mr.Chandran said.

The Muthuvan tribals continue to cling closely to their rituals and beliefs that raise several questions on women's and children's rights and health. The practice of housing women separately during their periods and using primitive techniques for childbirth are still followed.

Kudi Kani or tribal chief is still revered as the master of the tribe and interestingly it is his wife Kanni Ammal who has been elected the panchayat president.

Mr. Chandran said apart from providing basic infrastructure, the government must focus on providing training on local governance to the elected members of the Edamalakudy to ensure development of the panchayat.

The Forest Department will take the initiative to develop Edamalakudy, the first tribal grama panchayat in the State, with a Rs. 97 lakh project for developing infrastructure.

Since Edamalakudy is part of the forest area, an empowerment committee with various department officials as members will be formed to co-ordinate the utilisation of funds allotted by various departments. Explaining the features of the works to be taken up in the initial stage, Munnar Divisional Forest Officer S.G.Maheshkumar said that a major focus of the project will be on cardamom cultivation, the main cash product of the tribals.

He said that a meeting in this regard was convened by Forest Minister Benoy Viswom in Thiruvananthapuram recently and it was attended by people's representative and officials of forest department. An amount of Rs. 45 lakh will be spent for treatment of cardamom, its procurement and marketing to get maximum benefits for the tribals. The Vana Samrakshana Samithy (VSS) will procure cardamom and Rs. 12 lakh has been earmarked for constructing stores and other related facilities. The forest products collected by the tribals will be marketed through the Vanasree network and the VSS will act as a medium for collecting and marketing the product.

The Forest road connecting Munnar to Edamalakudy is nearing completion and the forest department will purchase two jeeps for conducting the services. Vehicles from outside the tribal area will not be allowed.

The Forest Department will take the initiative to develop Edamalakudy, the first tribal grama panchayat in the State, with a Rs. 97 lakh project for developing infrastructure.

Since Edamalakudy is part of the forest area, an empowerment committee with various department officials as members will be formed to co-ordinate the utilisation of funds allotted by various departments. Explaining the features of the works to be taken up in the initial stage, Munnar Divisional Forest Officer S.G.Maheshkumar said that a major focus of the project will be on cardamom cultivation, the main cash product of the tribals.

He said that a meeting in this regard was convened by Forest Minister Benoy Viswom in Thiruvananthapuram recently and it was attended by people's representative and officials of forest department. An amount of Rs. 45 lakh will be spent for treatment of cardamom, its procurement and marketing to get maximum benefits for the tribals. The Vana Samrakshana

Samithy (VSS) will procure cardamom and Rs. 12 lakh has been earmarked for constructing stores and other related facilities. The forest products collected by the tribals will be marketed through the Vanasree network and the VSS will act as a medium for collecting and marketing the product.

The Forest road connecting Munnar to Edamalakudy is nearing completion and the forest department will purchase two jeeps for conducting the services. Vehicles from outside the tribal area will not be allowed.