Jarawa tribe

Jarawa tribe : Recently, the Government of India announced plans to conduct the 16th Census. Experts are confident that the enumeration process will proceed smoothly, even for the sensitive task of counting the Jarawa tribe along with the five other major indigenous tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

• About Jarawa tribe: Classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) by the GoI.

o The term “Jarawa” means “stranger” or “outsider” in their native language.

o Ancient Origins: Believed to be among the earliest human populations in Asia.

- Thought to be descendants of the now-extinct Jangil tribe, and possibly part of the first successful migrations out of Africa.

- They are of Negrito origin, with dark skin, curly hair, and short stature.

o Habitat & Territory: Inhabit the dense tropical forests of South and Middle Andaman Islands, primarily along the western coast.

- Reside within the Jarawa Reserve Forest, a legally protected area to ensure their survival and limit external interference.

o Lifestyle & Culture: Hunter-Gatherers and semi-nomadic, known for their territorial nature and have historically defended their land from intrusions.

- Their small, isolated population makes them extremely vulnerable to extinction.

- Belongs to the Great Andamanese language family.

• About PVTGs : Most marginalized and vulnerable among the Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India.

o These groups require focused attention and targeted development efforts, as more dominant tribal communities often receive a larger share of tribal welfare resources.

o Introduced in 1975 based on the recommendations of the Dhebar Commission.

o 75 PVTGs out of the 705 Scheduled Tribes recognized in India.

o Found across 18 states and 1 Union Territory in India (as per the 2011 Census).

o Odisha has the largest PVTG population, with over 2.5 lakh individuals.