“Missed opportunity” to crush exploitation in Andaman Islands
5th July 2012
Although activists are celebrating the creation of a three-mile buffer zone around the Jarawa tribe reserve in the Andaman Islands, they say that the failure to close the illegal road running through it is a “missed opportunity”
The Jarawa tribe, residing in the Andaman Islands, is one of the world's most ancient tribes. The tribespeople have been exploited by tour operators for years, who have offered 'human safaris' with the chance to 'spot' the tribe. Videos have even emerged of the tribe being made to dance naked for sweets.
The tribe is believed to be made up of some of the first people to have moved from Africa to Asia over 70,000 years ago, and there are approximately 320 Jarawa tribespeople living in the Andaman Islands. They live a nomadic lifestyle, and many still hunt with bow and arrow, and rub stones together to light fires.
The decision made by India's Supreme Court means that tourist resorts will now be unable to operate within the buffer zone of the tribe, and will have to close. Their proximity to the tribe allegedly “threatens their wellbeing”, according to Survival International, which promotes the defence and protection of tribes.
The Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) which runs through the reserve, however, remains open, despite the Supreme Court ordering the road to be closed back in 2002. Approximately 250 vehicles use it on a daily basis – many of which are tourists.
The Andaman's Deputy Commissioner commented, “The main motto of this act is that the Jarawa should not be exploited.”
Survival International's Director Stephen Corry said: “This is a positive development, but will the new rules actually be implemented?
“It is crucial tourists boycott such unethical 'attractions', so there is no fuel in the market to drive such tasteless practices.”
A spokesperson for the charity advised travellers to research tour companies and make it clear that they do not want to take part in any tour that would endanger, exploit or objectify the tribe.
“Tourists can visit the Andaman Islands... without travelling through the Jarawa reserve. The more tourists who make it clear that they find such 'human safaris' disdainful the less likely the operators are to offer such tours.”
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