Italian Couple Rescued From Bonda Ghat; Prohibitions In Place Since 2012

Bhubaneswar: The rescue of the Italian couple from the Bonda Ghat area of Malkangiri district on Saturday has brought to fore the perceived lack of awareness among the foreigners about the prohibition put in place in 2012 from visiting tribal dominated areas.

The guidelines framed immediately after two tourists, also from Italy, were abducted by Maoists in March 2012, had regulated tourist trips to areas inhabited by communities as Bondas and Dongaria Kondhs.

The Italian tourist couple Indico Sesodi and Frank Sakha, after being rescued by the police in the latest incident, said that they had not obtained permission from the Home Department for their visit to the Bonda Ghat area. The authorities then informed them about the prohibitions, following which they were let off.

As per the guidelines, no foreign tourist/researcher can visit areas inhabited by people belonging to particularly vulnerable tribal groups PVTGs nor photography and videography is allowed in these areas. Violation of the guidelines can invited police action.

It also prohibits ‘physical proximity’ of tourists to PVTGs and barred their entry to houses of such Tribals. It has asked collectors not to permit amusement/entertainment of tourists by PVTGs.

The guidelines say no foreign tourist/researcher can visit areas inhabited by PVTGs without the concerned district collector’s permission, which would be marked to the local police station. It shall be the local police station’s duty to ensure the conditions in the permission letter are strictly followed. “In case of any violation criminal cases should be lodged against the tourist/sponsor/tour operator under appropriate sections of law.”

Odisha has the second highest tribal population in the country and is home to 62 tribal communities, including 13 PVTGs numbering around 90,000 spread over 12 districts. The PVTGs, namely, Bonda, Didayi, Lanjia Saura, Juang, Kutia Kondh, Chuktia Bhunjia, Saura, Paudi Bhuyan, Lodha, Dongria Kondh, Hill Khadia, Mankirdia and Bihor, fascinate many because of their interesting rituals and customs.

Reports suggested that following the ban, the tourist inflow into the State suffered a hit. Two-third of the tourist visiting Odisha kept tribal dominated areas in their itinerary, driven by curiosity of their lifestyle. The ban dampened their interest to visit Odisha, tour operators reasoned.