Nilgiri – One of a kind
Near the Nilgiri Biosphere and the Karulai Reserve Forest lives the Cholanaickans—the only tribe in Asia that still live in caves. There are around 11 cave settlements spread around in the forest. It consists of deciduous evergreen forests and bamboo thickets. You can spot wild orchids here. Rare birds can be seen, too.
Each cave settlement had a couple of families living together. There are under 400 of their tribe left, with fewer women to men ratio. They speak a combination of Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam. They collect forest produce and take them to the collection centre of the Nilambur Scheduled Tribal Development Cooperative Society at Manjeeri and in turn, get oil, rice, salt, and chili.
This area can be reached after a 100-km ride from Calicut to Manjeri near Nilambur. From there, a jeep ride takes you there.
