Ecological Adaptations of Nilgiris Tribes - Bioresources in Todas and Kotas Livelihoods

In recent decades, the environment and humanity have paid greater attention to the notion of sustainability. Because of the usage of ecological resources, ethnic settlements with a larger extent of forests have become prominent targets for ethnobotanical surveys. The study was conducted by a questionnaire survey and observations using empirical methods among the tribal settlements of Todas and Kotas of Nilgiris during the year 2022-2023 that showcase the information on the source of innovation in the application of bioresources available in the environment, as well as their traditional construction expertise. It has been shown that biological resources are used to provide sustenance, especially among tribal communities. Identifying the rich traditional ecological knowledge that has been an essential component of sustainable living. Traditional ecological knowledge of these indigenous people about the values of bioresources and their vernacular construction methods has enabled them to undertake sustainable design and planning against the climate where they live. This study provides insights to understand the socio-cultural and economic elements that determine settlement patterns and habitats, as well as material and construction in a typical mountainous area of South India. The study further examines the settlement's unique importance and significant reliance on natural resources for subsistence. The findings of the study help to comprehend how bio-resources were integrated into their habitat and in a living environment. It also helps to re-explore the concepts of good practices and attempts to encapsulate the diversity of traditional ecological knowledge among these settlements.