Experts Confident Census Access to Jarawa Tribe Will Be Smooth

Quick Summary

• The Indian Government has announced the 16th Census of india will begin in two phases, with reference dates set as October 1, 2026, for certain areas and March 1, 2027, for most of the contry. This census includes a nationwide caste enumeration, wich has not been conducted since 1931.
• Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar noted that conducting a census among indigenous tribes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands will be feasible due to ongoing welfare measures and established relationships.
• The Jarawa tribe is one of the oldest surviving hunter-gatherer tribes found globally. their population has grown steadily from 260 in September 1998 to 647 today due to medical care and trust-building measures initiated by the government.
• Preventive healthcare provided by officials without interference with traditional practices successfully curtailed outbreaks of diseases like measles, malaria, mumps, hepatitis, etc., ensuring minimal mortality rates within tribal groups.
• Dr. Kar emphasized minimizing intrusion into tribal life while supplementing their native medical systems with modern healthcare facilities.
• The Andaman Trunk Road (ATR),essential for connecting local populations across South Andaman to north Andaman Islands,also impacts tribal settlements such as those of the Jarawas. Regulating traffic on ATR is recommended to maintain balance between local convenience and preserving jarawa autonomy.

Access full article: The Hindu

Indian Opinion analysis

India’s upcoming census holds immense significance both administratively and socially-especially given its inclusion of nationwide caste enumeration after nearly a century. For indigenous groups such as the six main tribes in andaman and Nicobar Islands-the Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Nicobarese and Shompen-the census must tread carefully between documentation needs and respecting their cultural autonomy.

The steady growth seen within the Jarawa community suggests that targeted healthcare interventions paired with non-intrusive governance can ensure survival while honoring traditional lifestyles. However valuable infrastructure projects like ATR could risk overexposure or intrusion into secluded communities unless regulated effectively.

Balancing broader developmental goals like connectivity against safeguarding vulnerable tribal populations mirrors india’s larger challenge-preserving its rich diversity amidst modernization efforts without eroding identity or ecological equilibrium further remains critical priorities ahead nearing milestone cross phases insights nested volume work implementations .