The Andamans
The Andaman is a gift to India. Undoubtedly, this union territory of India comprises of various scenic beauties. Like the vast blue oceans, golden beaches, lustrous & green forests, mighty mountains! It has the first generation of the modern human race, in the south and south-east Asia. The tribe of Sentinelese inhabits the northern parts of Andaman. This tribe is still living in the stone age! They have hardly come in contact with the outer world. Likewise, there are other tribes which are The Jarawa, The Onge, The Shompen, etc.
Covid-19 and the Andaman.
Now, let us talk about the current scenario of the Covid-19 pandemic. Currently, India is gradually rising its peak of infected individuals. The spread of the Corona Virus is not just contained in India but also in the Andaman.
The problem in Andaman started when a group of individuals reached Port Blair from New Delhi. However, the officials were more concerned about the Jarawa tribe.
The Jarawa Tribe of Andaman.
The Jarawa tribe is located 100 km from Port Blair. The population is just 300. They are the main members of The Great Andamanese. Undoubtedly they have a very ancient history. Most probably, they came to the Andamans even before the Aryans came. They stay in the protected forests.
Why the Jarawas a major concern?
The tribal people have a recorded low immunity. It can extinct a tribe if correct measurements are not taken!
Looking back in history, when the British arrived, they brought in several deadly diseases with them. Eventually infecting the Tribe of Great Andamanese. Consequently, decreasing their numbers sharply!
Noted Anthropologist, Madhumala Chattopadhya along with other officials states that the only way to protect the Tribe of Jarawas is complete isolation. Otherwise, there will be an episode of Tribe Extinction!
They are worried because there are some modes of contact with these people which is hard to stop. Construction of Andaman Trunk Road, a two-lane highway, connecting middle & south of Andaman. It passes through the heart of the Jarawa Territory.
COVID-19 & the Jarawa
If one member of the Jarawa tribe gets infected with Covid-19, there is a high number of chances of the rest to be in the clutch of the Virus. Due to low immunity, it would be hard to save these tribal people. Eventually, they will get extinct.
But this does not get over here. With the extinction of Jarawa, we will lose the ancient languages that spoken to date by them. Let us work for the betterment of these people.
Next time when you think about the unprivileged community, think about them. Their community, language, culture, art will be extinct before we realize it.
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