Before independence, the tribal population which inhabited the forested frontier areas of Malabar, Cochin and Travancore, which form part of present day Kerala, were left mostly undisturbed. Tribals were required to hand over valuable items such as ivory and collect minor forest produce and bring them to depots of the state or its contractors. The state and the forest department had a patronising attitude towards tribals as they were a reserve of labour in inhospitable areas and valuable informants on poaching and smuggling of forest produce. Developments in the timber market saw a shift in the focus from royal trees to reserved trees and then to reserved forests with accompanying changes in the intensity of timber extraction, that the earlier privileges of tribals were reduced to concessions. When forests were extensive, the tribals could shift to other areas when plantations of coffee, tea, cardamom and rubber replaced forests. Food production leases in forests to non-tribals and large scale immigration of plainsmen reduced the tribals almost to the status of landless vagrants.

With the striking down of the Kerala Hillmen Rules framed under the Kerala Forest Act 1961 and the formation of a separate department of tribal welfare, the forest department has been absolved of the responsibility of tribals. However, the tribals continue to enjoy certain concessions with regard to cultivable lands and minor forest produce.

Kerala forest department along with the United India Insurance Company has given shape for a unique life insurance scheme for 73,472 scheduled caste and tribal people against death caused by accident. The scheme became operational in 1995. The scheme also covers disability caused due to accident. Government is paying annually Rs. 10 lakh to the insurance company towards premium under this programme.