In an unfortunate incident, an American national attempting to make contact with the protected Sentinelese tribes residing in North Sentinel Island of Andamans was reportedly killed. This incident occurred following the government’s exclusion of 29 inhabited islands, including North Sentinel Island, from the restricted area permit (RAP) regime till December 31, 2022. The move aimed to stimulate tourism in the remote Andaman and Nicobar islands.
The RAP Regime and Its Implications
The lifting of RAP restrictions indicates that foreigners can visit these islands without obtaining prior permission from the government, but under certain conditions. Besides, visiting reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and tribal reserves would continue to require formal approval from a competent authority.
A Brief Overview of the Sentinelese Tribe
The Sentinelese tribe has been occupying North Sentinel Island since pre-neolithic times. They belong to the Negrito ethnic group and have been isolated from the outside world. Notably, Indian anthropologists first contacted them in 1991. Due to their isolation, the Sentinelese’s census has been conducted through photographing island individuals from a distance. The 2001 census counted them at 39. Their subsistence relies on hunting, fishing, and gathering wild plants, as no surveys have found evidence of agriculture.
Protective Measures for the Sentinelese Tribe
The Government of India has listed the Sentinelese among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). They are protected under the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, dated 1956. This regulation acknowledges the traditional areas occupied by the tribes as reserves and prohibits unauthorized entries. It also deems photographing or filming tribe members an offense.
Facts About North Sentinel Island and the Sentinelese Tribe
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| First Contact | Indian anthropologists first made contact in 1991. |
| Census Count (2001) | The population was estimated at 39. |
| Occupational Profile | They are hunter-gatherers, relying on fishing, hunting, and gathering wild plants. |
| Protection Status | Listed under Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by the Indian government. |
The Debates Surrounding Tribal Contact
The status and treatment of tribal or Adivasi communities have always been contentious issues within India. Some social anthropologists studying “uncontacted tribes” have suggested that these tribes may be interested in making contact with the outside world but are too frightened to do so.
Challenges to Tribal Contact
Uncontrolled contact with the external world poses significant dangers to tribal culture, knowledge, and languages, threatening them with extinction due to overpowering external influences. Moreover, there are health risks associated with possible disease transmission from outsiders to these unvaccinated communities.
The Proposed Way Forward
Academics propose a policy of “controlled contact” instead of no contact as the most beneficial course of action. This approach would entail carefully managed contact to prevent disease spread while building trust and providing much-needed aid and medical assistance. Making contact with the outer world could also help governments document their way of life, preserve their culture, and promote their holistic development.
