PROTECTION OF JARAWAS
02/December/2014
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1460
ANSWERED ON:  02.12.2014
PROTECTION OF JARAWAS
RANJEET RANJAN
SHASHI THAROOR
Will the Minister of



HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-




(a) whether there are reports that a documentary is being made on the Jarawa tribals in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands by some foreign film makers; 

(b) if so, the details thereof; 

(c) whether the Government has initiated any legal proceedings against the film makers and if so, the details thereof; and 

(d) the effective measures taken by the Government for the protection and welfare of the Jarawa tribals in the Andaman and Nicobar Island?


ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY) 

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Three foreign film makers, viz., Bauche Raphael Alexandre Pierre, Martin Alexandre Hubert Jean and Le Ble Anne Ameile were involved in making a documentary on the Jarawas. 

(c): A case crime No: 62/14 dated 19/10/2014 U/s 7/8 PAT Regulation, 1956, 8 (4)/8 (b) PAT amendment Regulation 2012 r.w.s. 67 IT Act, 2010, 3 (I), v SC/ST Act and 14 (A) Foreigners Amendment Act 2004 r.w. Para 3 FRA Order 1956 has been registered at Police Station, Mayabunder, North & Middle Andaman District against the local people of the area and French Nationals involved in making the video clip. Three persons namely Shri Saw Santone S/o late Saw Kanda, Shri. Saw Justin S/o Shri. Saw Santone and Shri. Saw Saytha, Father Baptist Church Mayabunder were arrested and they have been remanded to judicial custody. During the course of investigation, sections 108/120 (b) of IPC have also been added. 

L.S.US.Q.NO. 1460 FOR 02.12.2014 

(d): (i) The Andaman & Nicobar Administration is mandated with the welfare and protection of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG`s). For providing adequate safety to the PVTGs specific provisions have been made in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribe), Regulation, 1956 and amendments made in 2012. Violation of the provisions contained in the Regulations attracts punishment and fine. 

(ii) All welfare activities are carried out as per the guidelines contained in the policy framed for Jarawas in the year 2004. 

(iii) The Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti, (AAJVS), an autonomous body fully funded by the A & N Administration and constituted under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, is executing all the welfare activities for the Jarawa under the guidance of experts in the field of Anthropology, Health and Education. 

(iv) An area of 1028 Sq.KM have been declared as Jarawa Tribal reserve area for the subsistence of the Jarawas 

(v) The food resources of the Jarawas are very well protected. The Indian Coast Guard and Police Department carries out regular patrolling in the West Coast of the South and Middle Andaman Islands to prevent poachers from entering the Jarawa Tribal Reserve. The surveillance in the Western Coast has been stepped up through a joint operation team consisting of Navy, Coast Guard, Police Marine Force, Forests and AAJVS. 

(vi) For effective delivery of welfare measures, hotspots have been established at Tirur, Jhau Kona, Potatang, Lakra Lungta and Phooltala where, the staff of AAJVS who know the Jarawa language interact with the tribal. 

(vii) Insitu medical treatment is provided to the Jarawas by the Health Department in their camps. Cases requiring expert medical opinion are referred to hospitals at Port Blair and mainland. 

(viii) Andaman Nicobar Tribal Research and Training Institute has been set up and made functional from 2nd October 2013 to carry out research on tribal issues and to recommend research driven welfare policies. (ix) 12 Jarawa protection posts are functioning and all the staff have been sensitized on the issues related to protection of Jarawas and directed to maintain a sharp watch in their respective jurisdiction to prevent any interaction of the Jarawas with the tourists/ local people. 

L.S.US.Q.NO. 1460 FOR 02.12.2014 

(x) Steps have been taken to provide basic education and health education to the Jarawas. A bicultural and bilingual varnamala containing Jarawa language has been prepared which is used as a base to teach the children of Jarawas. They are provided with learning materials and taught at the Potatang hotspot. 

(xi) The General body of Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti Presided over by the Hon`ble Lt. Governor and the Executive Council Chaired by the Chief Secretary frequently meet and deliberate on the progress made on implementation of welfare measures for the Jarawas. 

(xii) With a view to protect the interest of the Jarawas, entry of all vehicle passing through the Andaman Trunk Road have been regulated through specified convoy timing from Jirkatang to Middle Strait and Vice- versa. 

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