Introduction to the Kattunayakan Tribe

The Kattunayakan or Jennu Kurumbar is a recognized scheduled tribe primarily residing in the regions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

• The term Kattunayakan translates to ‘king of the jungle’ in Tamil and Malayalam.
• The Kattunayakan tribe is among the earliest known dwellers of the Western Ghats .
• Their life revolves around forests and forest products. They are known for their expertise in honey collection, which forms their primary source of income.
• The tribe is classified as one of the 75 PVTGs ( Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups ) in India.
• Their language is a unique blend of Dravidian languages.
• The Kattunayakan tribe is among the few Indian tribes that still lead a hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
• They follow a nature-centric religion, worshipping animals, birds, trees, rocks, snakes, and other natural elements.

Mudumalai National Park - A Brief Overview

Located on the north-western side of the Nilgiri Hills (Blue Mountains) in Tamil Nadu, the Mudumalai National Park is a sanctuary for diverse wildlife.

• The park shares its boundaries with Kerala and Karnataka.
• It is flanked by the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (Karnataka), Nagarahole National Park (Karnataka), and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala).
• Mudumalai National Park forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and was among the first forest ranges in India to be declared a national park.
• It received the status of a tiger reserve in 2007. The Moyar river flows through the park, joined by five tributaries.
• Theppakadu Elephant Camp, located inside the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, is the largest contiguous wild habitat for the Asian elephant . The Kattunayakan tribe, the original dwellers, form the majority of the mahouts and caretakers.
• The Mudumalai Tiger Reserve is one of the five elephant reserves in Tamil Nadu. It is a haven for diverse wildlife, including the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, sloth bear, and various bird species.

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