Tribal hunting in the Idukki tank. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Malsaranyakam, initiative launched by the Wildlife Sanctuary of the Sanctuary Idukki in 2019, now provides a permanent income for tribal oorali, who hunts in the IDUKKI tank. The tribes are descendants of Chemban Karuvellayan Kolumban, who played a key role in the implementation of the Idukki dam.
MG Vinod Kumar, a former Sanctuary assortment and contemporary forest forest officer in Idukki in Flying Squad Divisional Forest Officer, said the tribes were hunted from the reservoir and sold it cheaply to mediators. “With the leadership of the forest department, we started a 12 -member subgroup of fishermen in Columbin Usthi and opened a stand in the vellapker. This step changed the lives of tribes in the settlement,” said Mr. Kumar.
MajsyaRenyakam main stand in Vellappara near Cheruthoni in Idukki. | Photo Credit: Special Arrival
“The actor Mammoothy’s Care and Share Foundation gave tribal partners to free fishing networks and life jackets. It was launched after the success of the Chilly, the weekly open market of Marayur Sandal Forest in 2014 to ensure fair prizes for ecologically grown agricultural products in tribal settlements,” he said.
Sijji T., a tribal member who manages the MallsyaRenyakam stand, said “Fishermen mostly catch Katl, corner, tilapia and lawn from the dam. The fishing is stored for 45 days from 1 June during the fish breeding period,” she said. Over the past six years, fishermen have captured offices over 30,000 kg of fish as invasive species.
Scheduled café
Idukki Wildlife Warden G. Jayacandran said that the tribes who hunt in the dam played a key role in the protection of the shrine. “They provide timely alerts of forest fires and illegal access to the sanctuary. The forest department will soon begin a café in Vellappa near Cheruthoni to provide food from the fish from the Idukki dam,” Mr. Jayacandran said.
Stall MalayaRenyakam Fish in Vellapara, near Cheruthoni, in idukki | Photo Credit: Special Arrival
According to officials, the project has earned more than 80 ₹ Lakh over the past six years. “Fish orders are accepted through the WhatsApp Group. Members of the group open the stand around 9:30 and within minutes the fish are sold out,” said Mr. Jayacandran.
Published – 4 October 2025 20:28
