ABSTRACT
This chapter investigates the distribution of the tribals Palliyars, Kanikkars, Valaiyans and Pulayans along the target area, and the ecological conditions, consumption pattern of different food plant and their nutritional potential. It focuses on the wild edible food plants consumed by the Palliyars settled in the reserve forest area of the Grizzled Giant Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary. This area lies mostly in Virudhunagar and parts of Madurai district. The study area consists of tropical evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, dry teak forests, southern mixed deciduous forests and dry grassland. The study area consists of tropical wet evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, tropical riparian fringe forests, dry teak forests, dry deciduous forests, umbrella thorn forest, wet temperate forests, and high and low altitude grasslands. The Valaiyans live in several isolated pockets or in small hamlets. Their habitations are known by the following names: Chathiravellalapatti, Kondaiampatti, Muduvarpatti, Saranthangi, Katchaikatti, Mettupatti, Ramakoundanpatti, and Valaiyapatti.
