Lok Sabha Question No. 2205 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-01
Subject: Protection of Jarawa Tribes
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO, ABHISHEK SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2205

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.01.2018

## PROTECTION OF JARAWA TRIBES

## 2205. SHRI RAYAPATI SAMBASIVA RAO: SHRI ABHISHEK SINGH:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  into  cognisance  the  media  reports  about  the  National Commission for STs summoning Youtube for offensive Jarawa Clips and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the allegedly objectionable videos on Jarawas have been removed from Youtube and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) the details of measures taken by the Government in the last three years to protect Jarawa tribes of Andaman & Nicobar Islands; and

(d) the number of Jarawas as per the latest survey commissioned by the Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI JASWANTSINH BHABHOR)

(a)to (b) National Commission of Scheduled Tribes (NCST) had written letters to the Secretaries of Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs , Ministry of I&B, Ministry of Tribal Affairs  and  Chief  Secretary,  A&N  islands  for  taking  strict  action  against  those  who  upload inappropriate video films/ photos on You Tube.

A&N Administration,  vide  Press  Release  dated  16.10.2017  has  clarified  that  posting/ uploading of pictures/ videos of tribes of A&N Islands in any social networking sites is punishable with imprisonment upto three years as per Section 7 of the A&N (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Amendment Regulation, 2012 and also attracts Section 3 (i) ® of the SC & ST (Prevention of Atrocities)  Act  1989.  It  further  advised  all  to  refrain  themselves  from  posting/  uploading  of pictures / videos of tribes of A&N Islands in the social networking sites, in the interest of tribes of A&N Islands.

Deputy Suprintendent (CID), Port Blair had registered case vide FIR under Section 3(1) 9 R SC&ST (Prevention of Atrocities )Act, 2016 against unknown persons. Further, an Advisory Note dated 16.10.2017 has also been issued hat any person who enters into the reserved area without permission for the purpose of taking photographs or making videos of aboriginal tribes shall be liable for punishment with imprisonment which may extend to three years and fine which may extend to Rs. 10,000/-

Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting  as well as Ministry of Information Technology  have  also  initiated action  by  providing  necessary  URLs  of inappropriate and objectionable videos for removing them.

(c) Andaman & Nicobar Administration vide Gazette Notification dated 21.12.2004 had issued Policy on Jarawa Tribe of Andaman Islands with the following objectives:

- I. To protect the Jarawas from harmful effects of exposure and contact with the outside world while they are not physically, socially and culturally prepared for such interface
- II. To  preserve  the  social  organization,  mode  of  subsistence  and  cultural  identity  of  the Jarawa community
- III. To provide medical help to the Jarawas to reduce mortality and morbidity in case of their sudden affliction with diseases which their systems are unaccustomed to
- IV. To conserve the ecology and environment of the Jarawa Reserve Territory  and strengthen support  systems  in  order  to  enable  the  Jarawas  pursue  their  traditional  modes  of subsistence end way of life; and
- V. To sensitize settler communities around the Jarawa habitat and personnel working for the protection  and  preservation  of  the  Jarawas  about  the  need  to  preserve  this  ancient community and to value their unique culture and life styles.

The Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti (AAJVS) an autonomous body  functions like a trustee of  the  interest  of  the  Jarawas  and  advises  A&N  Administration  regarding  the  protection  and welfare of all aboriginal tribes including the Jarawas.

(d) As per the Andaman & Nicobar Administration  survey, the total  population of Jarawas is 480.

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