Andaman and Nicobar Islands authorities are planning serious action against some journalists for entering reserve areas and taking photographs of the highly endangered aboriginal tribals without legal permits during news coverage of the tsunami tragedy.
"At least two journalists of different national news channels had illegally entered the tribal reserve areas with cameras. The administration has taken this seriously and action will be taken soon," state-run Andaman Adim Janjati Vikas Samiti Executive Chairman KC Ghosal said.
Various pockets of the archipelago are marked as tribal reserve areas where six endangered tribal groups live and entering inside these areas without valid permission is illegal. "Even aircraft are not allowed to fly close these areas," he said.
"They (TV journalists) have not only entered the reserve forest but have also taken photographs, which is totally illegal," Ghosal said.
Andaman and Nicobar IGP SB Deol said, "We are waiting for the direction from the administration. Once we get that, we will take serious action." Under the Andaman and Nicobar Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation 1957, the offence invites prosecution and fines.
A local NGO, Society for Andaman and Nicobar Ecology (SANE), had brought the matter to the notice of the administration last month following which, the Chief Secretary of the Union Territory VV Bhatt had sought a detailed report on how some mediapersons could enter tribal territories and even photograph them against the law of the land.
