Reaching Jarawa Tribe of Andaman Islands for Census Will Not Be Tough: Experts

IN NEWS: Reaching Jarawa Tribe of Andaman Islands for Census Will Not Be Tough: Experts

Analysis

1. Background of the Census Announcement:
   • The Government of India has officially announced that the 16th Census of India will be conducted in two phases.
   • Reference dates:
     • October 1, 2026 for areas where the agricultural year differs (such as snowfall-affected regions).
     • March 1, 2027 for the rest of India.
   • The upcoming Census will also mark the first nationwide caste enumeration since 1931.
2. Census and the Jarawa Tribe:
   • According to experts, conducting the census among the six main indigenous tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will not be difficult.
   • Dr. Ratan Chandra Kar, who has been closely associated with the Jarawa community since 1998, stated that the government has already established contact and trust with these tribes through sustained welfare programmes.
3. Population Growth of Jarawas:
   • In 1998, the Jarawa population was around 260, which has now grown to 647 (as of 2025).
   • The 2011 Census recorded 380 Jarawas out of 28,530 Scheduled Tribe individuals in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
   • This steady growth is attributed to improved healthcare, disease prevention, and trust-based engagement with the tribe.
4. Public Health and Policy Approach:
   • The Central Government has followed a policy of proactive but non-intrusive medical care, ensuring that modern healthcare complements their indigenous medicinal practices.
   • This approach helped successfully counter diseases such as measles, malaria, hepatitis, and conjunctivitis without significant mortality.
5. Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):
   • Of the six tribes — Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, Sentinelese, Nicobarese, and Shompen — all except Nicobarese are classified as PVTGs.
   • PVTGs are the most marginalized tribal groups requiring focused welfare measures.
6. Infrastructure and Ecological Concerns:
   • The Andaman Trunk Road (ATR), while vital for connecting parts of the island, also increases human intrusion into Jarawa territory.
   • Experts suggest regulated traffic movement to balance local population needs with protection of the Jarawas.
7. Census Relevance for Policy:
   • The upcoming Census is crucial for identifying PVTG households under welfare schemes like PM-JANMAN, which currently estimates 191 PVTG individuals in the islands.
   • Accurate enumeration will help refine targeted delivery of tribal welfare initiatives.

Static Part (UPSC Context)

• 16th Census of India:
  • Will be the first digital census of India.
  • Conducted under the authority of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India, Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs):
  • Identified on criteria such as pre-agricultural level of technology, stagnant population growth, low literacy, and subsistence economy.
  • India has 75 PVTGs across 18 States and UTs.
• Constitutional Safeguards for Tribes:
  • Article 366(25) defines Scheduled Tribes.
  • Article 342 empowers the President to specify the list of Scheduled Tribes.

Updated – 14 July 2025 ; 02:59 AM | The Hindu

Source:The Hindu