The Sangham’s roots date back to 1995, when tribal leaders, inspired by faculty at the Gangothri School in Suryanelli, formed the original collective. It thrived for over a decade before the school’s closure and the absence of educated leaders in the community caused activities to stall.

In 2024, tribal elders decided to revive the registered organisation instead of starting from scratch, expediting legal procedures and rekindling the network.

Today, the Sangham has a structured governing body with two representatives from each settlement, area committees, and ooru committees led by tribal chiefs. Its efforts have been visible in recent protest programmes demanding infrastructure, healthcare, and legal justice.

The Sangham’s intervention was allegedly pivotal in prompting the Tamil Nadu government to order a judicial inquiry into the suspicious death of a 58-year-old tribal man from Suryanelli at the Udumalpet forest range office.

At Muthuva Sanghamam, discussions ranged from forest rights, welfare schemes for tribes at the government level, education, financial empowerment, and infrastructure facilities at the settlement to women’s issues.

Cultural programmes, seminars, and a free medical camp by the National Ayush Mission added to the spirit of empowerment. Leaders hope the event will mark the beginning of sustained mobilisation across all districts.

“We are building more than an organisation, we are building a future where our voices are heard and our rights respected. This is only the beginning,” Rajendran said.

Kerala Police Academy director K. Sethuraman was the chief guest, Adimaly assistant tribal development officer M. Kandaswami inaugurated the meeting, and Munnar wildlife warden K. V. Harikrishnan delivered the tribal day message. Tribal poet Ashokan Marayur and journalist-writer M. J. Babu were also present.