India Struggles to Map Isolated Tribes in Andaman Amid Ethical, Legal Dilemma

India Struggles to Map Isolated Tribes in Andaman Amid Ethical, Legal Dilemma

Last Updated Jul - 08 - 2025, 02:04 PM | Source : Fela News

Officers are having difficulty in registering contactless tribes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the map, where legal and moral dilemma has arisen between

A silent conflict is going on in the remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Indian officials are facing increasing difficulties in identifying those contactless and secluded tribes that have lived up from the outside world for generations. Tribes like Sentinelese are still untouched by modern civilization, and any kind of contact with them is not only dangerous for them due to lack of protection from common diseases, but also illegal under Indian law.

Nevertheless, due to climate change and development pressure, administrative plan and disaster preparation have become more necessary than ever, which has made the identity of accurate places of these tribes a practical need. The authorities are having difficulty making contactless tribes in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where there is a legal and moral dilemma between the tribal protection and administrative plan - without disturbing their cultural solitude.

Using satellite images and aerial surveys, authorities are attempting to respect tribal autonomy while ensuring they can intervene if ever required for emergencies. But even the idea of surveillance is raising concerns among anthropologists and human rights groups who warn against disrupting the natural way of life of these tribes.

The official must balance legal obligations and humanitarian concerns. These communities deserve the right to exist undisturbed, yet their safety cannot be overlooked especially during natural disasters like tsunamis or cyclones. This situation serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between modern governance and ancient cultures, and how even good intentions must be weighed against long-term consequences.

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