When WWF India wanted to take the message of tiger conservation to the youth of Irula community in the Western Ghats, it conducted an inter-village tournament of their favourite sport without a second thought.
According to organisers, ‘Volleyball for Tigers’ could remind the youth of their roles in conservation activities.
Tournament
Eight teams of Irula tribal community from Anaikatty, Pudukkadu, Hallimoyar, Kallampalayam and Thengumarahada took part in the tournament held at Irula tribal settlement of Kallampalayam located at Moyar Valley in the Nilgiris.
A part of the Moyar Valley falls under the buffer zone of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, a recent addition, with the remaining portion coming under Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve.
Moyar Valley is also an important wildlife area which requires support from the tribal community for conservation.
To gain support
“Volleyball is a preferred game among the Irula community and is a regular evening activity for youth in most of the tribal settlements. WWF started supporting volleyball tournaments in the landscape to promote the sport in the tribal settlements and gain the support of youth for tiger conservation,” said D. Boominathan, landscape coordinator, WWF India.
The tournament held on Saturday and Sunday was the second such event organised at Kallampalayam settlement.
The team from Anaikatty won the first prize while Kallampalayam became runner up.