There are about 38 types of indigenous communities residing across Kerala. Among them, more than half of the communities belong to Wayanad district. Their food habits are closely related with their lifestyle followed by each community.

The generalisation of tribal communities with the common people became a chaos. Subsequently, most of the people from the indigenous community, especially the children began to suffering from malnutrition and other health problems. Art. 21 of the Constitution of India Guarantees right to get enough food as a fundamental right guaranteed by the. ICESCR declares that the right to adequate food is realised when every man, woman and child, alone or in community with others, has physical and economic access at all times to adequate food or means for its procurement. The right to adequate food shall therefore not be interpreted in a narrow or restrictive sense which equates it with a minimum package of calories, proteins and other specific nutrients. 

The right to food is recognized in the UDHR, 1948, as part of the right to an adequate standard of living. “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food.” (Art25).