Visit to BR-HILLS

Every subject requires a field-based exposure to understand the reality beyond the walls of our classroom.  Keeping this in mind, the teaching staffs and group of 29 students from our department organized a field study to BR Hills, C.H Nagara district, Karnataka on 12^th December 2023.  The main purpose of our study was to Soligara haadis and Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK). We had prior contacted VGKK office, an NGO working for the welfare and development of the aboriginal people in the BR Hills since from five decades for changing needs of tribal people and focusing on sustainable development.

About BR Hills:

BR Hills, also known as Biligiriranga Hills, is a beautiful hill range in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, India. The region is known for its rich biodiversity, wildlife sanctuaries, and its significance for tribal communities. The Soliga tribe is one of the indigenous communities that inhabit the BR Hills.

Objective of the Visit:

• To understand the customs, traditions, and lifestyle of the Soliga tribe.
• To know their changing socio economic status
• To enhance the various activities taken by VGKK in the overall development of tribes.

Field Experience:

The team reached the destination by 9.45 am and firstly visited the heritage Sri Ranganatha Swamy temple. After enjoying the view of hill the team visited VGKK and throughout our day we were accompanied by Mr Shivamallu one of the teaching staff in VGKK School. Mr Shivamallu addressed our students and explained on the history and mile stones of VGKK.  He expressed that how the dream of Dr R Sudarshan the founder of this NPO has developed and sustained by overcoming challenges. Dr R Sudarshan is not only a doctor in profession but he is an active social worker and tribal rights activist. He is known for his contributions in the upliftment of the forest dwelling tribes mainly soilgas in Chamaraja district of Karnataka state. His concern to promote sustainable development of tribal communities through initiatives in Health, Education Livelihood security and bio diversity conservation has led to the establishment of VGKK School, hospital and centre for development. VGKK is committed to holistic and sustainable development of tribal people, keeping in mind their socio-cultural background and their rights. The institution believes in empowering tribal societies and achieving sustainable development keeping their core cultural intact. The team witnessed various economic activities undertaken by the centre in income generation of the soligas.

After the lunch the team visited soligas settlements interacted with the tribes. We observed that the wave of modernity has certainly led to the changes of soligas life style. Some of the community members are still trying to preserve their culture and transmit it to their younger generation.

Overall, the visit was very fruitful; the students were able to understand the soligas beliefs, practices and also the changes and trends among them. The team received a very good hospitality and it was very interactive throughout the visit.