Andaman cautions tour op on Jarawa Tourism

Port Blair, Apr 15: The Andaman and Nicobar Tourism department has warned the tour operators not to conduct tours to the areas inhabitated by the primitive Jarawa tribes.

The official sources have further said the tour operators would face severe penal action.

The tribal areas come under the islands Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulations Act, 1956, and the Jarawas being one of the primitive tribes of these archipelago should not be promoted as tourist attraction under any circumstances, department's Deputy Director Vinod Kumar had stated in an official order.

The Administration had earlier restricted entry to these areas and does not allow people to visit these areas for tourism purposes, the order added.

Meanwhile, some tips had been prescribed for the tourists visiting tribal areas through the 340 km long Andaman Trunk Road, which cuts through the Jarawa Tribal Reserve.

The Tourism department has advised tourists not to allow the Jarawas to get into any tourism vehicle and not stop vehicle in the Jarawa area.

''We have warned tour operators no to indulge in photography, videography in Jarawa reserve areas, the Deputy Director added.

Many tour operators in Andaman reportedly organise tour to Andaman Trunk Road (ATR) to show tourists the Jarawa tribals.

UNI