Tamil Eco-zones

Tamil Eco-zones Sangam poems help us understand the social formation of the time. According to the thinai concept, Tamilagam was divided into five landscapes or eco-regions, Ainthinai namely Kurinji , Mullai, Marutam , Neythal and Palai . Each region had distinct characteristics – a presiding deity, people and cultural life according to the environmental conditions, as follows: Kurinji hilly region: hunting and gathering Mullai forested region: pastoralism combined with shifting cultivation Marutham riverine tract: agriculture using plough and irrigation. Neythal coastal land: fishing and salt making. Palai parched land: Unsuitable for cultivation and hence people took to cattle lifting and robbery.