Port Blair, Dec. 4: The all important conference on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) got underway today to discuss threadbare the policy initiatives in relation to the welfare and future of the tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Research Scholars, leading Anthropologists and experts of national and international repute have begun deliberations on the nitty gritty of the tribal lives in this archipelago with special focus on the theme of the conference- “Thinking future- PVTGs of A&N Islands”. The Lt. Governor, Lt. Gen A.K. Singh (Retd) was the chief guest at the inaugural function of the conference held at the Megapode Nest while the Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash was the guest of honour.
Addressing the assemblage on the occasion, the Lt. Governor reiterated the commitment of this UT Administration to safeguard and protect the interest of all the tribes of these Islands. “We will pursue development in a comprehensive manner, but not at the cost of either ecology or the original inhabitants of these Islands i.e. the Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and other tribes”, the Lt. Governor observed. This vision, he said, reflects the commitment and accountability of the entire Administration to maintain the well-being of the tribes.
The Lt. Governor said “there have been several attempts by different sections to understand the ways of tribal life, but there are some gaps which need to be bridged so that we have a better understanding of what is the best way forward. This needs to be done with the help of experts in the field and this conference is a step in that direction.
Dwelling briefly on the tribal history of these Islands, the Lt. Governor said that all the tribes have been the original inhabitants of these Islands for thousands of years and have been living their lives in their own ways, obscure to the outside world. Thereafter, colonization took place and then came the freedom fighters who were imprisoned here. The Lt. Governor said that the contact made during the colonization period, especially with the Andamanese and Onge tribes resulted in a bitter experience and proved detrimental to the very existence of the tribal population here.
However, in the Post Independence era the Govt. of India had framed a new policy to look after the tribal population in the year 1956 which empowered UT Administration to follow a path for the well being of the tribes. He said “a large number of wrongs were done in the past (i.e. during the colonial regime) which were rectified through this promulgation”. The Lt. Governor said “in the context of today we are better empowered and committed to look after well-being of our tribes as never before”.
The Lt. Governor had praise for the staff of the Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samity (AAJVS), particularly those who are engaged in the field work. “They are very committed people, who make us proud by their work.
Turning to Jarawa primitive tribes, the Lt. Governor said that the Administration is in the process of re-looking into the Jarawa policy which had been in existence for over a decade. “Recently we have established hotspots where interaction with Jarawas takes place through AAJVS and other experts”. He said the Administration has tried to move forward with the help of AAJVS and experts so as to ascertain in what ways the Jarawas actually want to move forward and at what pace.
The Lt. Governor also spoke about the trespassing into the Jarawa area by non-tribals and said that as many as 79 cases have been booked for trespassing since 2004 as part of the PAT regulation. 35 persons out of them have ended in conviction while 37 are in trial stage. This, the Lt. Governor said, speaks volumes of the stringent measures being resorted to by the Administration against violations/trespassing into the Jarawa area. The Lt. Governor also referred to a recent incident in this connection and said that a team from a foreign country disguising themselves as tourists and taking the advantage of hospitality offered to the tourists, made a film on Jarawas in clear violation of the tribal laws. Criminal proceedings against such violation has been initiated and the Administration will bring to book all those who has trespass/infringe the law.
As regards Shompen tribes in Great Nicobar, the Lt. Governor informed that a new draft policy has been formulated for them which has been forwarded for approval to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in March this year. He invited the experts to look into the draft policy which is available here and is still open to suggestions, if any.
About the Sentinelese primitive tribe, the Lt. Governor informed that the Administration has switched over the earlier policy of hands-off to “hand off- but eyes on” with a view to ensure that the interests of the Sentinelese are protected and that they are not harmed by poachers at any cost.
The Lt. Governor conveyed to the gathering that there will be absolute transparency in the functioning of the Administration while dealing with tribal issues. All the agencies involved in the task will be fastened with clear responsibility and accountability. The Administration will broadbase the process of consulting with the anthropologists and subject experts while cautioning the pitfalls of sensationalizing the tribal issues. The Lt. Governor invited all the stakeholders to be on the side of the Administration in espousing the cause of tribals.
Conclusively, the Lt. Governor expressed gratitude to all the delegates who have assembled here from far and wide to discuss the sensitive issues relating to tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He also expressed confidence that the deliberations during the two-day conference will address most issues pertaining to the PVTGs.
In his address on the occasion, the Chief Secretary, Shri Anand Prakash lauded the efforts of ANTRI for organizing this all important conference to deliberate upon the issues concerning the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of A&N Islands. The synthesis coming out of the deliberations will help the Administration to formulate policy for the betterment of the tribal community in these Islands, the Chief Secretary added.
Welcoming the chief guest and the delegates from mainland, the Secretary Tribal Welfare, Shri G Theva Neethi Dhas thanked the delegates for coming all the way from mainland as well as from outside the country to attend this all important conference to deliberate upon Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of A&N Islands. He recalled that this conference was organized by ANTRI in collaboration with Tribal Welfare Department and AAJVS based on the decision taken in the General Body Meeting of AAJVS chaired by the Lt. Governor in the month of April 2014.
Earlier, in his keynote address, the Honorary Director ANTRI, Prof Biswajit Pandya said that Andaman & Nicobar Tribal Research Institute (ANTRI) which is only one year old has been established to reflect a tradition of excellence. ANTRI is committed to the goals and values that have been articulated and is associated with consultative and planning processes that encompasses and compliments AAJVS and Tribal Welfare. The inaugural function concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Nabadita Ganguli, Director, Tribal Welfare. Later, a number of papers were presented by the delegates from different places elsewhere in the country as also those from the Islands on two broad themes ‘Adivasis & Indian, State Colonial Legacies, Contemporaries Equations’ and ‘The Problem of Vulnerability’.
