Five Andaman and Nicobar tribes face extinction
By IANSWednesday, June 9, 2010
NEW DELHI - Five primitive tribal groups (PTGs) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands face the threat of extinction, a statement by the ministry of tribal affairs said Wednesday.
The tribes — each having less than 500 members — are Great Andamanese, Onge, Sentinelese, Shompen and Jarawa.
According to the statement, the population of the Great Andamanese tribe is 43, that of Onge is 96, Sentinelese is 39, Shompen is 398 and Jarawa is 240.
The figures given are as per the 2001 census.
“A central scheme for particularly vulnerable tribal groups covers 75 identified PTGs among the Scheduled Tribes. The scheme is flexible because it enables every state to focus on areas that they consider is relevant to their PTGs and their socio-cultural environment including identities and culture,” the statement said.
