Andaman

Original Population

We could see only a population called *Jarawas*.  I shall write about this tribes later as there is something serious, we all need understand, acknowledge and digest and be responsible.

"Raj, I have more than 15,000 blood samples, collected globally from Eschimos to Andaman tribes covering entire world population, but I don't have the Carbon dating data", when Thangaraj (now a globally renowned population geneticist) asked, I could not resist. Although I was not in Thangaraj's group (he is basically a Veterinarian, animal biologist) in CCMB, many used to come to me for analysis. I was super excited and said, "Lets do the ML+parsimonious algorithm to re-construct the human phylogeny". This is the first time I learnt to use multi-core processors for parallel computing of compiled executables. The sampled genome segments were Y chromosomal DNA sequences and ITS 16s / 18s regions of various DNA sequence length. Those days, whole genome sequences were not available/affordable. The analysis took about two months of continuous computational run, because the parsimony algorithm compares every DNA base by base in all permutations across the samples and arrive at the maximum likelihood groups.

The results indicated significant two clades (with >85% bootstrap significance) of African and Andaman tribe lineages, showing these two tribal groups could possibly be the putative original ancestors of Homo erectus, while all other world populations were falling within these two groups. From this time onwards, I was very curious to see these Andaman tribes (having present in our country), but never got an opportunity

While going to a place called Baratang island, we could see a tribal group called Jarwas. Almost Jet-black coloured, medium height; seems very dosail, with belly, not really fit for serious hunting; came close & looked for chips/biscuits/etc. Later we figured out, these tribes are gradually being domesticated (with food/dress/medicals), hence gradually loosing their vigor and adaptation (epi-genetic depression or negative adaption, we call).

There are more than 7 distinct identified tribes in various islands and they don't inter-mingle (அங்கேயும் ஜாதி பிரச்சனை) or inter-mate. Jerard mentioned that, although "potential" females are polygamous, the number of these potential females are very few (2 to 3) per group and further reducing, hence the chances for them to survive for few more generations are close to zero. In addition, in the name of "helping", our so called "civilized" population does all counter productive activities, ultimately reduce their adaptability / vigour and hence their survival. The islanders like "Sentinels", who still resists to be friendly with civilized people might survive longer. All other tribes would quickly become extinct.

Just to give a simple example, A&N islands are with tropical weather and these tribes have been well adapted for 10000s of years to live without dress. Our people have started giving them cloths, which not only reduces their adaptation to weather, increases their susceptibility to biotic stress and their dependence to us. In the recent 300 years, we have killed (been killing) them enough to be vanished from earth. Currently they are very few in each groups (30 to 50, may be).

Although we can be proud that our country has the *parents of human race*, survived with originality, we are the one who have been killing them. If we really want to help (or respect) them, *just leave them alone*.

Travel Plan

Like I mentioned, A&N Islands is not just a tourist spot, it is a place to be felt, realised, amazed and be proud of. There is nothing much to see in Port Blair. Most spectaculars are around different islands and a day visit to each island will give you only 30% of what it is. It needs stay in each island (at least for a day or two); go around at different time (from morning 4.30am onwards) to feel what that place is. Andaman travel plan should be very robust with compromises. Having positioned far-away from main land; the travel might be slightly more expensive, but it makes sense (for the money spent), only if you spend at least for 10 days to see 10% of few segments of these islands. As Jerard suggested, I would visit again to Nicobar Islands, 3 years from now (2022), which as per him, is relatively more beautiful than northern parts. In Nicobar, tourism is yet to be developed.

A&N Islands is a treasure, about which every Indian should be proud of...! More than that, this treasure badly needs to be maintained. Tourists (and the tourism) needs to be very responsible. Having N.Modi opened up the International gateway last week, Andaman’s tourism would rapidly develop, but continue to deteriorate from its originality.

I shall post few representative images once they are ready.