Context: The Konda Reddi tribe, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTGs) living along the Godavari River and hilly forests of Andhra Pradesh, has recently highlighted the Indian laurel tree's unique water-releasing properties in Papikonda National Park.

About Konda Reddi Tribe

• Location: Konda Reddis are inhabiting on the banks situated on either side of river Godavari in the hilly and forest tracts of East and West Godavari and Khammam districts of Andhra Pradesh.

• Konda Reddis are recognized as Primitive Tribal Group.

• Konda Reddis are categorized as particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG).

• The population of Konda Reddis as per 1991 Census is 76,391.

• Language: The mother tongue of Konda Reddis is Telugu.

• Social structure: The Konda Reddi family is patriarchal and patrilocal.

• Monogamy is a rule but polygamous families are also found.

• God: They worship Muthayalamma (Village deity), Bhumi Devi (Earth Goddess), Gangamma Devi (River Goddess) etc.

• Festival: They celebrate festivals like Mamidi Kotha, Bhudevi Panduga, Gangamma Panduga and Vana Devudu Panduga.

• Dance: The men and women folk jointly perform the traditional colourful dance viz., Bison horn on festive and marriage occasions.

• Political Organisation: Konda Reddies have their own institution of social control called ‘Kula Panchayat’.

• Each village has a traditional headman called ‘Pedda Kapu’.

• Livelihood: They are primarily shifting cultivators and largely depend on flora and fauna of forest for their livelihood.