Press Note: Safety and population profile of the primitive tribes in the andaman and nicobar islands
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands had been recently hit
by Tsunami tidal waves which has reportedly caused extensive damage to the
life and property in these Islands. There
has been spurt of interest on the people inhabiting the Islands and specially
the tribals including the primitive tribal groups. Several newspapers have, of late, carried estimates
of population in these Islands including those of tribals. They seem to have done it without having the
benefit of the Census 2001 figures, which had captured complete details of
the population of the Islands and villages including those of the Scheduled
Tribes. The information about the
Islands and the population in the succeeding paras is given to remove any
misgivings about the numbers, which are available village-wise with the Government
of India.
There are total of 6 tribes of which
5, namely, Andamanese (43), Jarawas (240), Onges (96), Sentinelese (39) and
Shom Pens (398) are primitive tribes. Nicobarese
(28,653), who are the sixth tribe are the largest in population.
Andamanese tribe inhabit only in two villages of the Islands, the Jarawas
are inhabited in 6 villages, the Onges in 2 villages, Sentinelese in one village
and Shom Pens in 17 villages. The
Andamanese, Jarawas, Onges and Sentinelese are located in the Andamans district,
Shom Pens primitive tribe group in Nicobars district, while Nicobarese tribes
have presence both in the Andamans and Nicobars districts though the majority
of them (91.23%) live in Nicorbars district.
The Government of India is concerned especially about the Nicobarese,
who are the most prosperous among the communities of A&N Island and are
feared to have suffered substantial damage due to the Tsunami waves. The Government
of India is, however, relieved to learn that the primitive tribal communities
are by and large safe.
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands having an area of
8249 square kilometers, have a total population 3,56,152 as on 1.3.2001. Of them, 29,469 are Scheduled Tribes constituting
8.27% of the total Islands population.
Only about 10% Scheduled Tribes population is in Andamans
district while remaining 90% is in the district of Nicobars. There are total of 547 villages of which 501
are inhabited and 46 are uninhabited. The
union territory of Andaman & Nicobar has 3 towns, namely, Port Blair(MCl),
Bambooflat(CT) and Garacharma (CT). About 28% of the population of the union territory lives in Port
Blair town.
The
district/tahsil wise population of Andaman & Nicobar Islands as per Census
2001 is as under:
|
Sl. No
|
Union
territory/ districts/tahsils
|
Total
population
|
Total
Scheduled Tribes population
|
Percentage
of ST population to the population of Ut/ district/Tahsil
|
|
|
A & N Islands
|
3,56,152
|
29,469
|
8.27
|
|
1.
|
Andamans
|
3,14,084
|
2,904
|
0.92
|
|
|
(i) Diglipur
|
42,877
|
23
|
0.05
|
|
|
(ii) Mayabunder
|
23,912
|
74
|
0.31
|
|
|
(iii) Rangat
|
38,824
|
207
|
0.53
|
|
|
(iv) Ferrargunj
|
48,626
|
208
|
0.43
|
|
|
(v) Port Blair
|
1,59,845
|
2,392
|
1.50
|
|
2.
|
Nicobars
|
42,068
|
26,565
|
63.15
|
|
|
(i) Car Nicobar
|
20,292
|
15,899
|
78.35
|
|
|
(ii) Nancowry
|
21,776
|
10,666
|
48.98
|
Brief
details and the present position based on the latest information from the
Andaman through our officers’ alongwith with their population distribution are
as under:
1. Andamanese
Total Andamanese population in the Union territory is
43 persons (24 males & 19 females) as per 2001 Census. This tribe mainly
inhabits the strait Island (As) in Rangat tehsil; only 9 Andamanese were found
to be living in Port Blair town. The inhabitant of strait Island(As) have been
brought to Port Blair for the present and are safe. Their habitat has suffered substantial damage and they would
require rehabilitation. They belong to Negrito group.
2. Jarawas
The Jarawas are among the most primitive tribes and
are at present a heritage tribe. They inhabit the middle and south Andaman
Islands. Total Jarawas population is 240 persons in the Union territory as per
2001 Census, which consists of 125 males and 115 females. The Jarawas
settlements are in six villages of Andamans districts. Four villages namely,
Dhaninallah (JA), Foul Bay (JA), Lakra Lungta (JA) and Spike Island (JA) are in
Rangat tehsil, whereas two villages viz., Middle Strait to Jirkatang (JA) and
Tirur (JA) are in Ferrargunj tehsil. They are safe. Their habitat is jungle and high land and they inhabit western
part of the islands. They also belong
to Negrito group.
3. Onges
According to 2001 Census, total Onges population in
the Union territory is 96 persons (57 males and 39 females). The tribe inhabit
mainly in two villages, Dugong Creek (OS) and South Bay (OS), both located in
Port Blair tehsil of Andamans district. While the north is naturally protected
from the Tsunami waves, the southern portion is exposed to the sea. However, it has now been reported that Onges
are safe and have taken shelter in the hill, forest area in the island. They
also belong to Negrito group.
4. Sentinelese
Sentinelese are hostile in nature and leading an
isolated life. In 2001 Census, the tribe was counted from a distance, as it was
done in the past censuses. They live in North Sentinel Island (SA). Their total
population is 39 persons consisting of 21 males and 18 females. No contact has
been established with the Sentinelese as yet. During aerial surveys they have
been sighted. They are also, therefore,
safe. They also belong to Negrito
Group.
5. Shom Pens
The Shom Pens inhabit the southern most part of
Nicobar Island and are located at Campbell Bay. Total Shom Pens population in
Union territory is 398 persons (254 males and 144 females) as per 2001 Census.
The tribe is scattered over 17 villages of Nancowry Tehsil of Nicobars
district. These are Alexandera River, Pulokunji, Shompen village (A), Renguang,
Dogmar River, Kopenheat, Shompen village (B), Kokeon, Dakhiyon (FC),
In-Hig-Loi, Pulobaha, Chingen, Galathia River (FC), Not yet named (27.9 km.),
Ranganathan Bay, Chownallah and Lawful Bay. In seven villages, their population
is five or less in numbers, and in two villages, they had 7 & 9 persons
respectively. Maximum Shom Pens population are found in Shompen village (A)
& Shompen village (B) with 103 & 106 population respectively. Although
they were feared to have been worst affected by virtue of their location in the
southern most point and closest to Sumatra island. It has now been reported through aerial surveys that the Shom
Pens are by and large safe and taken shelter in the forest areas in the island,
which is a biosphere reserve. All the
bridges in this area are damaged and efforts are still on to reach Shom Pens by
foot. They are primitive tribal group
of Mongoloid origin.
6. Nicobarese
The Nicobarese inhabit the Car Nicobar Group of Islands which is mainly plain area.
Nicobarese are, numerically, the largest Scheduled Tribe in the Union territory
with 28,653 persons (14,646 males and 14,007 females). The Nicobarese constitute
97.23 percent of total Scheduled Tribes population of the Union territory. The
majority of Nicobarese (91.23 percent) live in Nicobars district.
Because of their
geographical position they are feared to have been worst affected. Survey is on in Car Nicobar to assess the
damage to the Nicobarese and at present 3000 are reported missing. Relief is being reached to these people.
The position as of now can be stated to be as
follows:-
|
Tribe
|
Habitation
|
Current
Status
|
|
Andamanese
|
Strait
Island in Andaman. Habitation damaged
|
They are
safe and brought to Port Blair.
|
|
Jarawas
|
Middle
and South Andaman
|
Not
affected.
|
|
Onges
|
Dugong
Creek & South Bay in little Andaman
|
Reported
safe
|
|
Sentinelses
|
North
Sentinel Islands
|
Sighted
safe
|
Shom Pens
|
Campbell
Bay in Great Nicobar
|
Reported
sighted safe, Not yet reached.
|
|
Nicobarese
|
Car
Nicobar Group of Island
|
Affected. Loss being estimated. About 3000 reported
missing.
|
Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PIB, New Delhi, Dated; Pausa 15, 1926/January 5, 2005
OK/PM/AS/050105-Safety&PopulationProfile
(Release ID :6299)