The tribals – Todas, Badagas, Irulas, Kurumbas, Kotas etc – were either autochthons or fled to these mountainous regions from the horrid Hindu and Muslim rulers of the plains between AD 1200-1800.  A natural symbiosis prevailed amongst them. And since their lifestyles were meticulously governed by religious superstitions involving water, soil, stone, plant and animal, they were the best protectors and conservators of the eco-system. Today, the tribals fall broadly into four groups –  i) a great majority who have chosen to embrace the dubious benefits of mainstream society a) voluntarily or b) because their lands have been usurped and their lifestyles constrained by various forces, or c) by succumbing to the wiles of Christian evangelists, ii) those who make and sell their indigenous products,and others who are trotted out to perform perfunctory ersatz desultory dances to titillate tourists and oafs, iii) those who have become inebriates due to fatuous and asinine governmental ‘welfare’ schemes and iv) those who have courageously withstood the onslaught of  inexorable modernity and remain gloriously inaccessible. So, please do not come with romantic ideas of visiting pristine tribal habitations.