Since my childhood, I used to visit the forest and the tribal people frequently along with my father who had leased forest plantation land (Cardamom estate at mlapara, eastern region of periyar) at that time. Even now we continue to trek inside the  forest along with tribal peoples and tribal trekkers.

Periyar has four different types of tribal communities, among them the Mannan community is the most prominent. They are the aboriginals of  Periyar, about 350 Mannan families are living  in and around Periyar.  The Mannan community mainly inhabits Kumily Panchayat in Idukki district though their dwellings are also seen at Azhuha, Devikulam and Idukki block panchayats. The tribe has unique customs and rituals.

Most of  Mannan community people have taken up the occupation of honey collecting, fishing, cattle breeding, and cultivating crops.

Though they used to stay in remote areas inside the forests, a few decades back they were forced to migrate to plots allotted by the government at Manakudi, the outskirts of the Periyar Tiger Reserve following  a government ban on deforestation in the preserved area. However, they still hold on to their traditional customs and rituals. One interesting thing about the community is the presence of a king; even today, they honour the kingship very dearly.