Description of the study area
Madurai District lies between the coordinates 9°30' and 10°30'N lat and 77°00' and 78°30'E lon. Altitude of the study area is about 102 m (334 feet) above mean sea level. Madurai district is spread over an area of about 4189 sq. km and is bounded on the North -Northeast by Pudukkottai District, on the South-Southeast by Ramand District, on the Southwest by Virudhunagar District and on the West by Madurai District. The annual rainfall is about 600 – 1000 mm and the mean annual temperature varies between 26°C and 38°C. The study area Alagarkoil Reserve Forest, Dindigul Division is one among the 11 MPCAs are reserve forest sites of high bio diversity value and known for their medicinal plant diversity. In these areas, presence of endangered species are identified and conserved by the state forest department.
About Valaiyans
Valaiyans are skilled hunters and forest product gatherers. Their name is believed to be derived from the word 'valai' (or net), since this implement is constantly employed by them in the capturing of jungle game ( Thurston & Rangachari, 1909).- Thurston, E. & Rangachari, K. 1909. Castes and Tribes of Southern India. Volume- VII, The Superindent, Government press, Madras: pp. 272-280.