Source: HT
Context: The Irula tribe of Tamil Nadu, which supplies nearly 80% of India’s anti-snake venom, plays a vital role in public health.
- However, despite selling snake venom, the community continues to struggle with poverty.
- A cooperative society of Irula tribals near Chennai, responsible for this critical work, faces an uncertain future, highlighting the economic challenges despite their contribution to healthcare.
The Irula tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Tamil Nadu, primarily resides in the Nilgiris region, with communities also in Karnataka and Kerala.
They place great importance on ancestor worship.
According to anthropological studies, the Irulas are one of India’s oldest tribal communities, belonging to the Negrito race, believed to have migrated from Africa.
They speak the Irula language, written in the Tamil script.
