INTRODUCTION:
The Irulas are one of the last forest scientists of the
world. Their knowledge and use of herbal medicines, tracking and digging skills, and
unusual diet (which includes rats) has been written about, filmed, studied and lauded.
During the pre-monsoon season when termites leave their mounds and swarm, Irulas use a
special seed to simulate the smell of rain, catching bagfulls of this winged protein and
eating it raw or roasted. But their most famous hunting feat is that of tracking and
catching snakes. From an (to us) invisible scrape on the ground, the Irula hunter knows
the species, size, and travel direction.
This skill was put to good use during the snake skin export years, which peaked between
the 1950s and 60s. Literally millions of snake skins were exported from India and the
Irulas were the main suppliers in the south. Then, with the passing of the Wildlife
(Protection) Act of 1972, the snake skin trade was banned resulting in a drastic impact
on the livelihood of this Adivasi group. Simultaneously, forest access and food
gathering/hunting was becoming more and more difficult, as their traditional hunting
areas came under varied categories of protection such as Reserved Forest, Sanctuaries,
National Parks….or were invaded by burgeoning cities and towns.
