With a population of 40,000, the Soligas are one of the indigenous tribes living in harmonious communion with nature in the Biligiri Ranganathaswamy (BR) Hills Tiger Reserve in the Chamarajanagara district of Karnataka. Revering mother nature, they rely on non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for sustenance. In the local Kannada language, the Soligas are known as the ‘Children of Bamboo’, a name that embodies their deep connection to the forest and their astute understanding of its resources, particularly honey and other forest produce.

However, their strong sense of social solidarity was put to the test when their rights came under threat. For generations, the Soligas had called the BR Hills forest their home, but when the area was designated as a tiger reserve, their habitation entitlements were threatened. Through resilience and collective action, they triumphed; Under the Forest Rights Act, community and individual rights were restored. It marked a significant victory for the Soligas, making them the first tribal community in India to reside within the core of a tiger reserve.

Recognizing the Soligas' unity and determination, the Indian Micro Enterprises Development Foundation (IMEDF), a social enterprise of the Development Alternatives Group, partnered with ATREE and Keystone Foundation, with support from the Ministry of MSME, Government of India, and established the BR Hills Wild Bee Honey Cluster. Within this cluster, 560 Soliga tribals, including 50 females, found institutional support through the Shri Biligiri Ranganathaswamy Soligara Samskarana Sangha—a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) comprising 13 board members, including 4 remarkable female representatives.

Preserving their ancestral livelihood, the Soligas continued the tradition of honey extraction from honeycombs by employing modern technologies to enhance efficiency and safety. They embraced protective gear, such as face masks, to shield themselves from bee stings, thus replacing the traditional practice of using fire. To facilitate the processing of raw honey, a Common Facility Centre (CFC) was set up in the Chamarajanagar district. Through this intervention, the cluster launched its brand, Adavi, accompanied by a dedicated website, www.adavi.co.in. By adopting sustainable harvesting practices, the Soligas ensured the well-being of indigenous bee species—Apis Dorsata, Apis Cerana and Apis Florea, popularly known as Rock bees due to their honeycombs found on rocks in the Western Ghats. The Soligas not only protected their community members but also safeguarded the region’s biodiversity.

Thanks to the establishment of the cluster, the Soligas witnessed improvements in their livelihoods, gaining access to essential healthcare and education facilities. The Soliga community also benefitted immensely from the knowledge of one of their own. Smt Madamma, aged 43, is an inspiring woman who lives in the Muttugadagadde hamlet within the BR Hills. Despite her formal education only extending to the fifth grade, she possesses extensive knowledge of various NTFPs, a legacy she inherited from her parents and husband and one which she intends to pass down to future generations.

Smt Madamma emerged as a role model within her community, garnering admiration when she was elected as a Panchayat member. She embarked on numerous developmental initiatives for her village and became an active member and the President of the BR Hills Soliga Samskarana Sangha—an association dedicated to NTFP processing. Now empowered and self-reliant, Smt Madamma aspires for every tribal woman to experience the same sense of independence and agency she has found.

Way Forward

The Soliga community acts as a good example for fostering the contribution to the Social and Solidarity Economy by building sustainable enterprises towards a just transition. They help build a positive impact on the environment and society by promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns taking into account challenges, particularly climate change.