What is Soliga ecarinata?

About Soliga ecarinata:

• The Soliga ecarinata is a new wasp that belongs to the subfamily Metopiinae of the Darwin wasps family Ichneumonidae.
• These are seen only in the Palaearctic region, Neotropical and Nearctic regions.
• This is the second genus of this subfamily reported from India and the first from South India.
• Scientists have named this wasp after the Soliga community.

Who are Soligas?

• Soligas are an indigenous tribe of Karnataka, inhabiting the peripheral forest areas near Biligiri Rangana Hills and Male Mahadeshwara in the Chamarajnagar district of Karnataka.
• The Soligas were dependent on hunting and shifting agriculture traditionally. 
• They are the first tribal community living inside the core area of a tiger reserve in India to get their forest rights officially recognised by a court of law.

Key facts about the Biligiri Rangan Hills

• It is located northwest of the Western Ghats and on the westernmost edge of the Eastern Ghats.
• The unique geographical positioning and diversity of habitats make BRT one of the richest areas for biodiversity in India.
• The Kapila and Cauvery Rivers flow through these hills.