ARCHIVES
VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Forest-based livelihoods and resource management among the Irular Tribe in Villupuram District: Past and present perspectives
Authors
Sowparnika G, Dr. S Udhaya Kumar
Abstract
The Irular tribe, a Scheduled Tribe community of Tamil Nadu, has
historically depended on forest-based livelihoods such as snake catching,
herbal medicine, honey collection, and the gathering of non-timber forest
products (NTFPs). These livelihood systems were embedded within a broader
ecological knowledge framework that ensured sustainable interaction with forest
ecosystems. Over time, deforestation, restrictive forest legislation,
environmental degradation, and socio-economic marginalization have significantly
reduced their access to natural resources and weakened traditional occupations.
At present, a majority of Irular households depend on wage labor and informal
employment. This paper examines the historical foundations of forest-based
livelihoods, analyzes structural and ecological causes behind their decline,
documents recent field realities (2023–2025), and proposes inclusive strategies
for sustainable livelihood reconstruction. The study argues for a rights-based
and participatory approach to development that recognizes indigenous ecological
knowledge as central to conservation and resource governance.
Download
Pages:79-81
How to cite this article:
Sowparnika G, Dr. S Udhaya Kumar "Forest-based livelihoods and resource management among the Irular Tribe in Villupuram District: Past and present perspectives". International Journal of Social Research and Development, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 79-81
Download Author Certificate
Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission to download your certificate.