c h u s
The Children of Nallamalas - Chenchus are the 昀椀rst dwellers of the Nallamalas, much earlier than the Dravidian people. They are Telugu speaking people and are of medium height and stature with lengthy limbs, dark but bright sunken eyes, wavy hair, receding chin with a beard resembling a tuft, short nose with blunt and prominent cheek bones. The people are usually lean, well proportionate and black to brown in complexion. They are often seen with their traditional bow and arrows.They are designated as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
Fishing is an important occupation for Chenchus who have access to water resources. Di昀昀erent techniques are employed to catch 昀椀sh. Men use bow and arrows in case of ponds and kodima (a 昀椀sh trap) in 昀氀owing streams. The Chenchus have learned various traditional arts and craftsmanship to make their economy. It is locally known as “banka”. They earn sizable income from the collection and sale of “banka”. They go to the market once or twice in a week with collected “banka” and in exchange purchase essential commodities for household consumption. They collect stems, tubers and leaves from the forest which have rich medicinal values. This is one of the major economic activity of the Chenchus tribes.
The Chenchus are expert in honey collection. The honeycombs are traced by excreta and movement of bees. Bees are said to visit water bodies to drink water. The Chenchus observe the movements of bees from the water bodies.
The services rendered by Chenchus as protection watchers in reemergence of NSTR has been recognized by National Tiger Conservation Authority by awarding a national award for “Best Human Resource Management” and by RBS “Green Warriors Award” for exemplary service to wild animals in NSTR. The Chenchus are known for their sincerity, honesty coupled with commitment for the conservation. More than 800 young Chenchus have been engaged as protection watchers to assist the frontline sta昀昀 for patrolling, information gathering, protecting habitat in the interior areas, monitoring of the moment of the Tigers and other wild animals every day. Their capacity to walk long distance without getting tired and local knowledge about the terrain made them a formidable protection force in NSTR.
NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS (NTFP) The Chenchus are classi昀椀ed as the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) because of their subsistence way of life and their dependence on the forests for food gathering, hunting and collection of NTFP, their pre-agricultural level of economy and their symbiotic relationship with forests. Their main source of income is from the sale of minor forest produce, which they sell to the Girijan Co-operative Corporation.
Lambadas are a colourful and versatile tribe. One interesting aspect of this tribe is its all India character whose original home is considered to be Rajasthan. The present day Lambadas represent the complete transition from pastoral nomads to settled cultivators and many have turned out to be good agriculturers.
Grey heron (Ardea cinerea)
Lesser adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus)
ENVIRONMENT EDUCATIO
ON CENTERS (EEC) IN NSTR
EETHUMMA
EC ALABAILU
EEBAIRL
EC LUTY
EESUNNI
EC PENTA
Short-toed snake eagle (Circaetus gallicus)
NOTABLE IN
NITIATIVES
PLASTIC-F
FREE NSTR