In response to the hue and cry over the exploitation of Jarawa tribal women in the Andamans & Nicobar Islands, the Union Cabinet on Thursday cleared a legislation that provides for stringent punishment, including imprisonment.

The Cabinet approved the proposal for promulgation of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal tribes) Amendment Regulation 2012, which will cover the entire Union Territory.

Once it comes into force, tourist establishments will be barred and commercial ones regulated in the ‘buffer zone' to protect the aboriginal tribes from undesirable outside influences, an official release said.

Briefing the media, the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ms Ambika Soni, said the law incorporates stringent penal provisions to deter unauthorised entry, photography, videography, hunting, use of alcohol, inflammable material or biological germs, or even putting up advertisements to attract tourists in the buffer zone.

The zone would comprise an area up to 5-km radius around the Jarawa tribal reserve. “The offenders can be imprisoned from three to seven years and fined up to Rs 10,000,” she added.

aditi.n@thehindu.co.in

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