A Human Safari Park?

Posted on by Marcia Mayne

This disturbs me so much, I hardly know how to write about it. “Survival launches tourism boycott of “human safari park.”

What the hell is a human safari park? I had to read the headline several times before I got it. The more I read, the more my blood boiled. I can’t even find the words to express my disgust.

Here’s the entire text and a link to the article:

Tour Operators Oppose Human Safaris

“The Association of Tour Operators in India’s Andaman islands has come out in support of Survival’s call for tourists to stop using the illegal road that cuts through the forest of the recently contacted Jarawa tribe. 

President of the Andaman Association of Tour Operators, Shri M Vinod, told Survival, ‘We don’t support ‘Jarawa tourism’. We have written to the administration asking for an alternative route so the tourists do not have to use the Andaman Trunk Road’.

Jarawa boy

Survival and local Andaman organization, Search, in June launched a tourist boycott of the illegal road, which takes thousands of tourists a month through the heart of the Jarawa’s land.

Tourists are risking the lives of the hunter-gatherer tribe, who have only had friendly contact with outsiders since 1998. The 365 Jarawa are likely to have little immunity to new diseases and could be devastated by an epidemic.

Last week, Sonia Gandhi, President of India’s ruling political party, discussed the Jarawa’s situation at a meeting of the powerful National Advisory Council. Mrs Gandhi is believed to be very concerned about the Jarawa. A recent report, commissioned by her, is said to emphasize the negative impact of the road and tourism.

Tourists treat the Jarawa like animals in a safari park by throwing biscuits and sweets for them. A number of Jarawa children have been hit by moving vehicles whilst trying to grab these treats. One tourist described his trip, ‘The journey through tribal reserve was like a safari ride as we were going amidst dense tropical rainforest and looking for wild animals, Jarawa tribals to be specific’.

Survival’s Director, Stephen Corry said today, ‘It’s great news that the tour operators want to avoid using the Andaman Trunk Road. With their support, there’s surely no obstacle to a complete ban on tourists traveling through the reserve. The authorities should take notice, and provide an alternative route as soon as possible.’”

We’re bigger and better than this. At least, we should be.

 

How Does Survival Help?

Since 1993 Survival has been urging the Indian government to close the road, protect the Jarawa’s land, and allow them to make their own decisions about their future.

In 1990 the local authorities announced that they intended to forcibly settle the Jarawa. Forced settlement was fatal for other tribes in the Andaman Islands, and has always been so for newly contacted tribal peoples worldwide. Following a vigorous campaign by Survival and local organisations, this plan was eventually abandoned.

In 2004 the authorities announced a radical new policy, stating that the Jarawa would be allowed to choose their own future, and that outside intervention in their lives would be kept to a minimum.

The Indian Supreme Court ordered the closure of the road through the Jarawa’s land in 2002 – yet it remains open, and poaching and exploitation are posing increasingly serious dangers.

Survival is campaigning to ensure that the road is closed and the policy of minimum intervention adhered to.

14 comments on “A Human Safari Park?”

  1. A Human Safari? Oh my goodness… I don’t even know what to say… This is terrible.

  2. You and me both. It’s so disgusting, I couldn’t sleep last night just thinking about it.
    There’s a follow up post bubbling in my head but I have to let my emotions settle so I can get some clarity.

  3. Well, there’s no doubt what goes into this kind of thinking? Who would’ve ever thought to create such a thing? Quite appalling…

  5. Well, show’s you where peoples heads are at.
    Like throwing rocks at caged lions to get them to move for your children.
    Selfish and self-centered, the people that go there to “watch” other humans.
    Sign of the times – little respect for anything, it is all me, me and more me.
    So, what are you going to do about this subject that makes your blood almost boil?
    It would be interesting to read.
    Cheers,
    John D. Wilson

  6. Good question, John!
    I don’t want it to be just donate to Survival International.
    I’m still seething and trying to get clarity – my emotions all over the place. I read your open letter this morning — pretty balanced. I’m not there yet. Still seething red.
    There’s a post there — I just need to settle down and write it.
    Thanks for the visit. I’m with you on the ppt thing. I just don’t understand it. What’s happening to us???
    Marcia

  7. This is appalling, but I am not surprised, given the current, uber-capitalistic climate in India. Forced resettlement (luckily thwarted), belated concern for the the powerless and (yes) darker-skinned — anything to make a buck/rupee.

  8. I hadn’t considered the money from that angle, Donna. Good point. It’s definitely appalling. I’m still boiling over it.
    Everyone needs someone else to dump on?

  11. this is so horrible. It’s disgusting that some people take advantage of others, exploding them like that…ughhh it infuriates me to read about that type of thing happening =(

    Definitely sharing this. We must spread the word as much as we can!

    – Maria Alexandra

  12. Unbelievable! The mere notion of a human safari park is pretty revolting, and the reality that an entire tribe of indigenous peoples could be wiped out by disease as a result of such ignorant malfeasance is unconscionable. Would love to know which specific tour operators are offering these tours, and launch a Change.org campaign against them. The power of negative international press can be pretty formidable, so let’s call them out! Thanks for shedding light on this…

  14. Thanks, Maria. It was so disgusting to read, it just made me sick.
    Bret suggested a campaign to out the tour companies that lead these tours. I think he’s got the right idea.

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