A trip to the heartland of

simple pure honest Soligas

Every journey has at least one defining feature. This trip had two. First, it gave us the chance to learn about one of the oldest tribes of India—the Soligas. Second, it was designed especially for children between the ages of 10 and 12, making it both exciting and a little challenging.

The trip took place on the last two days of August 2025. Vidyashilp Academy had requested the program, and since I’ve been visiting Biligiri Ranga Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT) for over 25 years, I was able to put together an itinerary with the help of my Soliga friends. My closest companion here is Basavaraj, who leads around 15 settlements (podus).

I arrived a day earlier to make arrangements—organizing vessels, stay, food, and, most importantly, a talk by Dr. C. Madegowda, a Soliga scholar who has travelled across the world. I also had to load my car with drinking water and refreshments for the children.

That afternoon, I met Mr. Shekar, a senior teacher at Vivekananda Girijana Kalyana Kendra (VGKK), who has been serving since 1995. We discussed the schedule, though the children’s planned interaction with the VGKK school had to be dropped since it was a Saturday and classes would close early. Instead, Shekar introduced Shivamallu, a young Soliga, who agreed to lead the children on a guided tour of VGKK.

Day One: Arrival and Exploration

On 30th August, my friend Mansoor, who coordinated with the school, accompanied the children on their journey. Around 1:30 PM, the bus rolled in carrying 29 students and 3 teachers. Their energy was infectious. Accommodation was arranged at the JSS guest house, with separate blocks for Class 6 and Class 7 students.

After a quick orientation, I rushed to pick up lunch from a nearby home-run café operated by two brothers, Kumar and Devaraj. While their family cooked, I waited impatiently, loaded the car, and even dealt with a food spillage on the way back. After this small adventure, Kumar agreed to handle meal deliveries for the rest of the trip.

Post lunch, we visited VGKK, founded by the visionary Dr. Sudarshan in 1981. Shivamallu took us around the hospital, school, science park, and the Non-Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) unit. The children learned how Dr. Sudarshan overcame incredible challenges to establish VGKK.

From there, Basavaraj led us to a Soliga podu. We explored traditional houses, structures once used for sleeping, kitchens, and even met elders of the tribe. The long walk left everyone tired but enriched. Back at JSS, evening snacks and coffee revived the group.

The evening closed with a reflective session. Each child shared something they had learned that day before dinner. It was heartening to see their curiosity take shape in words.

Day Two: Wildlife and Wisdom

The second day began with a nature walk inside the lush JSS campus. Coffee plants and towering trees surrounded us, alive with birds and arthropods. Just a day earlier, I had encountered a leopard here, so I reminded the children to stay cautious and not wander alone. The students were eager, spotting birds and asking thoughtful questions. Their enthusiasm made me hopeful that some of them may one day work in conservation.

The highlight of the day was our meeting with Dr. C. Madegowda, a professor at ATREE and one of the founders of Adavi—an organization run by Soligas to process and market NTFPs like honey and amla sustainably. His talk opened our eyes to the Soliga worldview, the deep ties they share with the forest, and the challenges they face as technology changes their traditions. It was both inspiring and sobering.

After a short tour of Adavi, Basavaraj took us to his podu nearby. We met elders, saw traditional houses, and then walked to a sacred site about 500 meters away. On the way, we even encountered a couple of wild boars! By the time the bus picked us up, the children were buzzing with stories.

The trip ended on a high note with a vibrant Soliga dance performance at JSS. The highlight was the famous Gorukana dance, during which many children joined in, turning the event into a shared celebration.

After a final hearty lunch, we bid goodbye to the children and their teachers—Ms. Asha, Ms. Jaswinder, and Ms. Angel. I sincerely thank them for their support, enthusiasm, and care for the students throughout the program. Their encouragement made the entire experience more meaningful.

For me, the greatest satisfaction was seeing young minds connect with the Soligas’ way of life and the importance of conserving our forests.