Special Cover was released to honour the vanishing Cholanaikkan tribe
A Special Cover was released on Cholanaikkan Tribe to celebrate International Day of Forests on 21st Mar 2022. Cholanaikkans are an ethnic group of India, they primarily inhabit Kerala and the Silent Valley National Park Region. In 1991 census they numbered 360 individuals, today they number only 191 and declared particularly vulnerable tribal group by the Government of India.
Postmaster General (north zone) T. Nirmala Devi will release the special cover at Nilambur Post Office on Monday morning. She will hand over the first cover to Forest Divisional Officer (Nilambur South) Praveen P.
Karimpuzha Mathan, the Cholanaikkan tribesman who stole the news headlines about two decades ago when he attended the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on a special invitation of the President, will also be honoured posthumously by the Postal department.
Mathan, 70, had met his tragic end when he failed to run away from a charging elephant near Panappuzha two months ago. Mathan’s death had virtually shaken the depleting Cholanaikkan tribe. Cholanaikkan tribe, which remained aloof from other tribes, is one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer tribes living in the State’s forests. Although the tribespeople mixed with other Naikkan tribes of late, especially the Kattunaikkan, the customs and lifestyle of Cholanaikkan people continue to be unique.
Until 1960s, the Cholanaikkan tribes people led a totally secluded life deep inside the forests of Nilambur. They maintained little contact with the outside world, leading their traditional lifestyle. They used to live in rock caves in the jungle. Although their lifestyle changed considerably with the tribe achieving nearly 20% literacy, most Cholanaikkan families continue to live in pitiable conditions inside the forest.
