Jul 19, 2025
8
mins read
The Jarawas are an indigenous nomadic tribe inhabiting India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They are among the world’s oldest surviving hunter-gatherer communities, descended from ancient inhabitants (possibly early migrants out of Africa) who have lived in isolation for millennia. Numbering only a few hundred, the Jarawas are recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), reflecting their cultural uniqueness and precarious status. These small bands of 40–50 people live deep in the forests of Middle and South Andaman, sustaining themselves through hunting, fishing, and gathering in the lush tropical environment. The tribe’s way of life-including their language and social traditions—remains largely traditional. As India develops, safeguarding the Jarawas’ autonomy remains a focus for policymakers.
Attribute | Jarawa Tribe |
Location | Middle and South Andaman Islands, India |
Population | ~647 (in 2025, up from 260 in 1998) |
Tribal Status | Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) |
Language | Jarawa (their own unique language) |
Lifestyle | Nomadic hunter-gatherers in bands of about 40–50 |
First Modern Contact | 1997 (voluntary contact began) |
Lifespan | Natural childbirth is common, and the average lifespan now exceeds 50 years. |
Upcoming Census (2026–27):
The 16th Census of India will, for the first time since 1931, include detailed data on all communities.
This brings focus to even isolated groups like the Jarawas. Tribal experts note that counting the Jarawas should be feasible because previous government outreach (medical camps, welfare schemes) has already established necessary contacts.
Protective Policies:
The census planning also highlights the government’s ongoing measures (e.g. the Jarawa Welfare Policy) to protect these tribes.
Authorities are working to ensure Jarawas are included in national planning without disrupting their traditional life.
Table of content
The Jarawas are believed to descend from the now-extinct Jangil (Rutland Jarawa) tribe.
Some anthropologists argue their ancestors were among the first modern humans to migrate out of Africa, arriving in the Andaman Islands roughly 50,000–60,000 years ago.
Over centuries, the Jarawas largely avoided assimilation. They survived the British colonial era (from 1789) and World War II, though these contacts caused a sharp decline in their numbers.
By the late 20th century only a few isolated bands remained, preserving much of their ancient way of life.
The Jarawas inhabit a stretch of dense tropical forest along the western coasts of Middle and South Andaman Islands.
Their territory spans roughly 1,000 square kilometers of pristine rainforest, mangrove swamps and coastal zone.
This remote archipelago (part of the Andaman Islands) has a hot, humid climate year-round.
The Jarawas’ deep knowledge of the flora and fauna allows them to live sustainably, relying on local game, fish, fruits and nuts.
Until recent decades, no all-weather roads penetrated this area, keeping them isolated from mainland India.
Image: Jarawa tribe children in the Andaman Islands.
The Jarawas maintain a traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle.
Men use bows and arrows to hunt wild pigs, monitor lizards and turtles, and also fish in rivers and coastal waters.
Women gather tubers, roots, honey and mollusks from the forest and shoreline. The tribe lives in small nomadic bands (usually 40–50 people); their temporary shelters (“chhappas”) are leaf huts moved every few months.
They speak their own Jarawa language and have rich oral traditions.
Music and dance play an integral role in cultural expression.
Traditional attire is minimal and adapted to the humid climate.
The diet of the Jarawa tribe has natural foods that contribute to very good health – studies note the Jarawas have low rates of diseases like diabetes and often live well into their 50s.
Outside Contact and Disease:
The major threat came with the construction of the Andaman Trunk Road (1970s–80s), which cuts through the Jarawa reserve.
This road brought settlers and tourists much closer, leading to exploitative “human safari” tours. Daily convoys of vehicles now pass through Jarawa territory ostensibly for sightseeing, exposing the tribe to many outsiders.
Such contact risks transmission of common illnesses (measles, flu, etc.) to which the Jarawas have no immunity. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to these concerns.
Habitat Intrusion:
Poaching and illegal logging along the road corridor also threaten their food sources.
Conservationists argue that even legal settlements on island fringes can encroach on Jarawa land.
Legal and Ethical Issues:
In the past, “human safaris” were declared illegal by India’s Supreme Court, but enforcement has been uneven.
There is an ongoing debate over respecting the Jarawas’ right to self-determination versus integrating them.
Historically, forced assimilation of tribes has led to loss of culture and health crises, so many activists insist the Jarawas must choose any new contact on their own terms.
Legal Status:
The Jarawas are officially protected under the Andaman and Nicobar Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation, 1956.
They are classified as a PVTG, which legally restricts outsiders from entering their reserve without permission.
Buffer Zones and Controls:
The administration has established “inviolate areas” around the Jarawa reserve. Traffic on the Trunk Road is now highly regulated (and often blocked) near sensitive stretches to limit disturbance.
The 2013 Supreme Court order formally banned tourist convoys in these areas.
Welfare Measures:
A Jarawa Tribe Welfare Policy has been implemented to provide essential services while minimizing intrusion. Government teams conduct periodic healthcare camps (e.g. vaccinations, treatment) at the forest edge, and distribute rations and provisions.
These interventions aim to improve nutrition and health, explaining why their numbers have grown from ~260 in 1998 to ~647 by 2025.
Efforts to preserve the culture emphasize minimal interference.
Researchers document their language and customs so that knowledge is not lost.
Anthropologists and local volunteers record Jarawa songs, stories and hunting techniques in cooperation with the community.
The government maintains that any development in or near Jarawa land must be carefully evaluated; for example, no large settlements or industries are permitted near the reserve.
Proposed projects (like hydroelectric dams on nearby streams) are scrutinized for impact on the tribe.
At the same time, Jarawas are not forcibly kept in ignorance. Those who wish (or are willing) to engage with doctors or teachers can do so.
Special policies ensure medical aid and schooling options exist at the fringes of their forest, provided in a culturally sensitive manner.
The goal is to allow Jarawas to choose how much and what kind of change reaches them.
Healthcare and Education:
Limited infrastructure means formal schooling and hospitals rarely reach Jarawa villages.
While mobile health teams visit, continuous care is hard. Education (when offered) must overcome language barriers.
Low literacy keeps them disconnected from government programs.
Demographic Vulnerability:
With only a few hundred members, the tribe is extremely susceptible to population shocks.
Disease outbreaks or natural disasters could be catastrophic. Their small gene pool also raises concerns (scientists monitor for genetic diversity).
Balancing Development:
The islands’ development ambitions (tourism, fisheries, infrastructure) pressure policymakers to expand services.
Ensuring such development does not trample their rights requires constant vigilance.
Achieving economic progress while respecting their autonomy remains an ongoing national issue.
Q. Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: (UPSC – 2019 Prelims)
1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1, 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (c)
Q. Who are the Jarawas?
A. The Jarawas are an indigenous hunter-gatherer tribe in the Andaman Islands, India, with an estimated population under 500. They live in small nomadic groups and are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group.
Q. Where do Jarawas live?
A. They reside mainly in the Middle and South Andaman Islands of India, within dense forests, mangrove swamps and coastal zones. Their traditional territory spans about 1,000 sq. km in these islands.
Q. Why are Jarawas considered vulnerable?
A. They are classified as a PVTG due to their small population, pre-agricultural technology, and isolation. Limited immunity and a unique cultural identity make them particularly vulnerable to outside influences and diseases.
Q. What threats do Jarawas face?
A. Jarawas face threats from external contact. The Andaman Trunk Road allows tourists to pass through their forest (often called 'human safaris'), exposing them to diseases and disrupting their traditional lifestyle.
Q. Why are Jarawas in the news recently?
A. Jarawas are in the news due to the upcoming national census (2026–27). Experts noted that counting this isolated tribe will be feasible because existing welfare measures and contacts have been established.
The Jarawa tribe represents a living link to humanity’s deep past. While modern India expands, concerted efforts aim to preserve the Jarawas’ way of life. Legal protections (PVTG status and special regulations) and court-enforced restrictions on tourism help shield the tribe. At the same time, the government provides selective healthcare and provisions to improve their welfare without forcing acculturation. The upcoming census and related development plans strive to include Jarawas in welfare programs, but with respect to their wishes. In balance, the hope is that the Jarawas can continue thriving in harmony with their forest home, preserving their unique heritage for generations to come
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External Linking Suggestions
UPSC Official Website – Syllabus & Notification: https://upsc.gov.in/
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