India’s tribes at risk as expanding tourism plans threaten identity, ecosystem

India counts 8.6 per cent of its 1.4 billion population as a tribal demographic – with their own indigenous culture, food, clothing and lifestyle. The government and private agencies intend to ride on such uniqueness from this segment in the name of tribal or eco-tourism.

Although the national strategy of eco-tourism calls for involvement of local communities before any protected or pristine area is identified for the purpose, this rule is often not followed, critics say.

One such project is a grand US$9 billion scheme by the Indian government, under which New Delhi plans to create its own “Hong Kong” on land occupied by some 240 indigenous Shompen tribespeople in the Greater Nicobar Island of Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. There are plans to build a mega-port, city, international airport, power station, defence base and industrial estate in the area.

In India, a remote island tribe risks losing its voice and cultural identity

Nearly 40 international scholars have slammed the…