Voyeuristic tribal tourism continues in Odisha

Foreign tourists continue to flock to a weekly shandy here in Koraput district, about 100 km
from the Araku Valley, at least some of them eager to gaze at semi-clad Bonda tribals.
A `human safari' controversy over semi-nude dances by members of one of the most
primitive tribal groups in Odisha's Malkangiri district had recently led to an undeclared ban
being imposed on the entry of outsiders into the tribal hamlets.
The Odisha government had acted after advertisements on the Internet by certain travel
operators offering to display Bonda tribal people had come to the attention of the
authorities.
Additional Secretary, Panchayati Raj, have recommended steps to protect the dignity and
self-respect of the Bonda tribes; it has not been made public.
It was only recently that a public outcry was caused by video footage on a nude dance by
Jarawa tribes in the Andamans archipelago.
Scores of tourists on conducted tour arrangements, many of them in buses, continue to
arrive at the shandy, which is held on Thursdays.
Tribals visit the weekly shandy to buy provisions and vegetables, trekking long distances.
They have now come to seek money in return for being photographed by the tourists..
According to Census 2011, the Bonda tribe has a population of less than 12,000, and they
are not a dwindling tribe.