Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

Aranadan is a diminutive Scheduled Tribe Community of Nilambur Valley in Malappuram District of Kerala State. They subsist on food gathering, small scale hunting, non-wood forest produces and medicinal plants collection. This community is now on the verge of extinction. In 2008, Aranadan population was 348. As per the latest figures from the Scheduled Tribes Department, the population is reduced to 253. A survey conducted by the people of the Aranadan community itself showed that their population was reduced to 170. The investigator conducted a survey by interviewing the tribe leaders (Moopans) and it is found that the population is decreasing and Aranadan community is on the verge of extinction. It was determined that the main reason behind this was a family planning project implemented by the Government. As part of the family planning project, twenty people from Aranadan tribe were sterilised. The investigator recommends Government to take necessary steps to ensure the safe existence of this tribe on earth.