The Supreme Court has upheld a ban on commercial and tourism-related activities in the habitat of endangered Jarawa tribe of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The order follows reports of video footage featuring the aboriginals dancing for food in front of foreign tourists and officials on "human safaris". 

The Supreme Court has declared an area up to a five-km radius of the Reserve a ‘Buffer Zone’ and prohibited entry of any person other than a member of the aboriginal tribe into it with a view to protecting the indigenous people. 

Earlier the Andaman and Nicobar Administration has appealed in SC and argumented that the ban can be a conditional one and allow commercial establishment/activities within the buffer zone. But now SC has ordered that no tourist establishment such as resorts, hotels, restaurants, bars and paying guest accommodation, except government-run guest houses, will be permitted within the Buffer Zone.

Further no commercial establishment/activities which may employ more than 20 persons or have an annual turnover of Rs. 1 crore or more will be allowed in the Buffer Zone.

It shall be the duty of the Principal Secretary (Tribal Welfare) and other officers of the Administration of Andaman and Nicobar to ensure total compliance of the prohibition issued under this order. Any breach of this order will entail punishment under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.