India is known for its hospitality and cultural diversity. Tribal communities are officially known as Scheduled Tribes (ST). They cherish their own cultural heritage and speak distinct languages of their own. This does not necessarily mean that they have been isolated from India’s “mainstream” society in living memory.
It is wrong and does not help the tribal cause either to reduce the image of the Indian tribal society to that of destitute remnants, on the verge of dying out. – Voices from the Periphery, a multidisciplinary book on “reversing the gaze” >>
As more “exotic” destinations are becoming accessible to a globalizing tourism industry, the ecological, economical and social impact on tribal communities can no longer be ignored. Some inhabit regions known for their biodiversity, lands that are ecologically fragile by definition.
More tips for responsible travellers and volunteers >>
Related posts
Learn more
Atree.org | Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology & the Environment (posts)
Biodiversity | Biodiversity hotspot | Hyderabad biodiversity pledge
Climate change | Audio | The Climate Question (BBC Podcast)
eBook | Background guide for education
Ecology and environment | Eco tourism | Tourism | Wildlife tourism
Environmental history and what makes for a civilization – Romila Thapar
Equations blog (Equitable Tourism Options)
Forest Rights Act (FRA) | Hunter-gatherers | Illegal mining | Legal rights over forest land
Information provided by Indian government agencies and other organizations (FAQ)
Nature and wildlife | Crocodile | Elephant | Tiger | Mangrove forest | Trees
PARI’s tales from tiger territory | People’s Archive of Rural India (PARI)
Shola Trust | Nilgiri Biosphere
Water and development – India’s tribal communities
Western Ghats – tribal heritage & ecology
What is the Forest Rights Act about?
Who is a forest dweller under this law, and who gets rights?
Within minutes of this virtual journey you’ll have travelled thousands of kilometres across India. With more time to spare, just linger anywhere – and enjoy your trip!
Tips for using interactive maps
Toggle to normal view (from reader view) should the interactive map not be displayed by your tablet, smartphone or pc browser
For details and hyperlinks click on the rectangular button (left on the map’s header)
Scroll and click on one of the markers for information of special interest
Explore India’s tribal cultural heritage with the help of another interactive map >>