TIME RUNNING OUT The curious case of saving “Tom” at the cost of “Dick” with “Harry” playing cheer-leader
Some of our islander friends are having nightmare of their life after the cat namely Buffer Zone had been set out of the bag, which besides prohibiting free movement could append their land for increasing the resource base for Jarawas! The issue could be traced back to Sept 2004, wherein the A&N Administration notified certain areas as tribal reserve under PAT regulation 1956.
T
he highly cryptic notification proved bouncer for the Islanders
essential commodities, foodgrains, medical help, evacuation of
with mediocre understanding of the language. Life went on
serious patients, fuels, building materials as well as public. Thanks
as usual. After 3 years, in Oct 2007 the administration issued
our Administration did not buckle to such pressure.
another notification declaring area upto 5 km radius around Jarawa
tribal reserve from Constance Bay in South Andaman to Lewis inlet bay in Middle Andaman as Buffer Zone
(BZ).
This notification did
create some unrest but soon life became normal once again. The real shocker came on Dec shops at
M
8th 2010,
when few officials zeroed into
Andaman and handed over Govt order mentioning their
shop falls in the declared Buffer Zone hence be closed down before
Jarawas were hostile, but after the Jarawa boy “Enmei” got treated at a hospital in 1997 with the help of villagers, they discarded hostility towards humans. These early signs, if properly nurtured could lead Jarawas to the mainstream. But who cares,
NGO’s
and almost all
experts have branded these less privileged citizens of India (read Jarawas) as precious possessions worth preserving in jungles.
09/12/2010
in compliance with Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated
Example of races dwindling after coming in contact with outside
03/12/2010.
Every body was shell shocked, there was not even a day
world are cited, cleverly ignoring example of Nicobari tribe which
left to respond to the notice or seek remedy in the court of law. Dissent started brewing. We did no harm to the Jarawas then why we are being intimidated? We have been co-existing with the tribes for more than six decades without any problem. It came to the light
flourished after coming into mainstream. It has been proved only those tribes which were isolated are struggling to survive. One should introspect how an islander travelling in
ATR,
in convoy
accompanied by armed police do harm to Jarawas?
Buffer Zone has been drafted based on the recommendations of
Jarawas are infact threatened by poachers who are depleting their
sub-committee on Jarawas. It came as a rude shock, there is not a
resources and contacts by few tourists. Administration should spare
single member from
islands in the sub-committee on Jarawas.
efforts to stop such unsolicited contacts. Common islanders have no
How could such an important decision be taken without consulting
contact with Jarawas, hence question of villagers harming them
us islanders, more so when the decision is going to adversely affect
does not arise. Civil society’s presence around Jarawa reserves
the life and livelihood of the Islanders? Altogether
could help Administration in keeping an eye on unsolicited contacts.
A&N
31
historically
settled villages from South, North and Middle Andaman has been
The Hon’ble
brought under the ambit of Buffer Zone, without any consultation or
address “…BZ will not cause inconvenience…there will be no displacement
publicity. The public, PRI members, ZP members, MP everybody was
in this count…” did pacify the agitated. But as long as BZ notification
kept in dark! These villages are not encroachments but settled by
remains in force no one is sleeping well. Meetings, street marches,
Govt under various schemes during
1956 PAT
shouting slogans will continue…! Administration should make the
regulation came into existence and again during 1964 to 1971. These
peoples aware of the steps being taken to protect their interest so
settler families with their blood and sweat made Islands a Mini India.
that remaining misconceptions could be nailed in the coffin for ever.
Few
having little understanding of Islands and its problems
Islanders are not against Jarawas, but urge the administration to
are keen to implement Buffer Zone. Some want ATR (NH-223) closed
take a holistic view so that interests of both the bonafide islanders
NGO’s
without knowing
ATR
is the
LIFELINE,
1949
to
1961,
before
facilitating easy movement of
LG’s
recent tour to
N&M
Andaman followed by
as well as Jarawas are protected. A lot is at stake, on
Debkumar Bhadra, Shore Point, Bambooflat, S Andaman-744107, email : debkumar_bhadra@yahoo.com
RD 2011,
04/03/2011.