Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 21 November 2024
Authorities in Andaman and Nicobar Islands have registered an FIR against the operator of a YouTube channel ‘Tour and Travel With Family’ for illegally filming and uploading a video involving the protected Jarawa tribal community on YouTube. The case, filed at Kadamtala Police Station, has invoked Sections 8(4) and 8B of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Protection of Aboriginal Tribes (Amended) Regulation, 2012, which strictly prohibit photographing or recording the aboriginal tribes without proper authorisation.
The video in question, uploaded under the title “ANDAMAN NICOBAR ISLANDS | Meet Tribal Jarawa | Havelock | Rangat | Mayabunder | Diglipur | Port Blair”, was reported by the Assistant Director of Tribal Welfare. It was found to promote tourism activities involving the Jarawa community, violating stringent regulations designed to safeguard their privacy and prevent exploitation. The channel currently has over 5,400 subscribers. However, the controversial video has since been removed and is no longer accessible to the public.
The complaint, addressed to the Superintendent of Police (CID), Andaman and Nicobar Islands included the video URL which was submitted as evidence for further investigation.
This is not the first time authorities have taken action against such offences. On January 2, 2023, Nicobar Times reported a similar incident involving popular travel vlogger Sanjay Kumar Swami, who had uploaded two videos promoting Jarawa tourism on his YouTube channel ‘Shubh Journey’. The report set off a chain of events leading to an FIR against the vlogger, highlighting the strict enforcement of regulations in the region.
Tourists visiting the Andaman and Nicobar Islands must understand that recording videos of the Jarawa tribe is a serious legal offence that can result in severe consequences. To ensure compliance, it is imperative for authorities to display warnings prominently at all tourist locations across the islands, cautioning visitors against such illegal activities that could put them in trouble.