EXCERPTS FROM TRIBAL WELFARE REPORT IN THE DAILY TELEGRAMS REPUBLIC DAY SPECIAL

EXCERPTS FROM TRIBAL WELFARE REPORT IN

THE DAILY TELEGRAMS REPUBLIC DAY SPECIAL

 ON JARAWAS

“The Jarawa tribe with the estimated population of 406 is inhabiting the western coasts of South and Middle Andaman Islands. They are leading their normal life of hunting and gathering. Government of India has framed the Jarawa Welfare Policy which is notified in December 2004 and same is being implemented.”

Jarawa Reserve Area has been increased from 847 to 1028 sq kms. Exclusive marine resources base has also been increased by declaring coastal water up to 5 km from High Tide Line as Tribal Reserve.”

“In order to protect the Jarawas from the harmful effects and exposure of the outside world and owing to the increased tourism activities infrastructures coming up around the Jarawa territory, the A & N Admn in Oct 2007 declared an area up to 5 kms around the Jarawa Tribal reserve on the landward side as Buffer Zone prohibiting tourism activities in this zone.”

“The Administration is at present actively considering a proposal to demarcate a new Buffer Zone to address the concerns of livelihood expressed by settlers living therein. In the re-visited Buffer Zone, not only the concerns of the settlers would be adequately addressed but the issue of protection and preservation of the Jarawa would be spelled out with much clarity.”

“Research driven policy initiatives of short-term and long-term will be taken by the Administration to appreciate the perception and will of Jarawas and mainstream them with the outside world according to the phase, set by Jarawas themselves, which may be time consuming and worth waiting.”