Jarwa Reserve

It is illegal and highly inadvisable to visit the Jarawa given the risk of outsiders bringing infections to which they are not immune. In 1999 and 2006, the Jarawa suffered outbreaks of measles – a disease that has wiped out many tribes worldwide following contact with outsiders.

Andaman Trunk Road, Jarawa Reserve lies between Jarkatang and Mangroove Creek. The Andaman Trunk Road passes through this reserve, the only means of road contact between south and north Andaman.

This encroachment risks exposing the Jarawa to diseases to which they have no immunity, and creating a dependency on outsiders. Poachers steal the game the Jarawa rely on, and there are reports of sexual exploitation of Jarawa women.

Tour operators regularly conduct tours into these reserves which are both illegal and potentially harmful for the Jarawa tribe. It is illegal for tour companies to use sightings of the Jarawa to advertise their trips and also to offer tours which return on the same day.

• Bus trips, into the reserves are a gruelling 8-hr bus ride both ways. The bus does not stop so all you get is a passing glance out the window if you wish to catch a glimpse of the Jarwa people. Some commentators say that "the Jarawa are being used as a human safari which is both degrading and dangerous for them".

Some tour operators provide a boat ride in the mangroves, this takes around 1 hr. Tours also visit the limestone caves and a mud volcano. Price is around ₹400/person inclusive of food and water.