Govt to work for protection of Shom Pen tribe

New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) Government has initiated efforts
for the protection of the fast-depleting Shom Pen primitive
tribe in the Nicobar islands and proposed granting it the
status of "unique human heritage" of the country.

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which is working on a
draft policy in this regard, has proposed to strenghten the
provisions of Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of
Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956 by an amendment.

The policy proposes restrictions on the "outside
intervention in the life and culture" of the Shom Pen tribe
and inclusion of a provision in the 1956 Regulation to provide
"deterrent punishment" to persons entering the Shom Pen
reserve and buffer areas without a "tribal pass".

"Entry restrictions on the lines of Lakshadweep and
North-East should be legally introduced and enforced," the
draft policy proposes.

The policy also proposes building up of a
"non-intrusive database" on each family of the tribe at
Nicobar as the "first intervention" to ensure that tribe
members grow and survive in good health.

Shom Pen is one of the "most isolated and poorly
understood" contemporary hunter and gatherer tribe that
inhabits the southernmost island of the Nicobar Archipelago.
They live in about 12 habitations made of bamboo and leaf
thatch.

According to the 2001 census, there are only 398 Shom
Pen tribe members. However, a recent Andaman and Nicobar
Island Administration survey put their number at 297,
including 9 persons missing after the 2004 Tsunami, a ministry
official said.

There were also reports about high infant mortality
rate prevailing among Shom Pen tribe but "it is yet to be
confirmed", he added.

In the draft policy, the ministry has sought to
"sensitively" design certain specific interventions to
stablise the reported high infant mortality rate.

The policy proposes "cautious" medical treatment to
members of the community, particularly in the use of
antibiotics. A special treatment regime should be designed
through ICMR so that "inexperienced doctors" do not treat
these vulnerable groups.

"A plan covering the action to be taken in the event
of any medical emergency, like an epidemic, should be prepared
by the Anadaman and Nicobar Island Administration," it says.

The policy also seeks protection of flora and fauna of
the the area and restricting "any kind of exploitation of
natural resources" besides restricting commercial and tourism
activity in five km radius buffer zone on land and sea around
the reserve area.

"The notified Shom Pen territory should be fully and
visibly demarcated and no curtailment, reduction or
acquisition shall be made for any purpose. The possibility of
recognizing their territory under the Constitution should be
explored," it says.

It also suggests that any outside assistance be
provided to the community only "when they seek it". PTI PKU
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