Survival International warns that actions driven by social media influencers could threaten uncontacted tribes, as evidenced by the recent arrest of a tourist who illegally trespassed on North Sentinel Island, home to the Sentinelese.
Social Media Influencers Endanger Uncontacted Tribes, Charity Warns
Social Media Influencers Endanger Uncontacted Tribes, Charity Warns
A recent incident involving a US tourist on North Sentinel Island has highlighted the risks posed by social media influencers to isolated indigenous communities.
Social media influencers pose a "new and increasing threat" for uncontacted indigenous people, according to Survival International, a charity dedicated to the rights of tribal peoples. This warning comes in light of the arrest of a US tourist, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, who allegedly travelled to the restricted North Sentinel Island in the Indian Ocean, intending to film his encounter with the isolated Sentinelese tribe. Reports indicate that Polyakov, 24, left a can of coke and a coconut on the island's shore, seeking to engage with the tribe.
Survival International decried the act as "deeply disturbing," noting that it puts both the tourist's life and that of the tribe at risk. The United States government confirmed it was aware of the situation and was monitoring developments. According to HGS Dhaliwal, the police chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Polyakov was presented in court and remanded for three days to facilitate further interrogation. Eyewitness accounts highlighted that for approximately an hour, he attempted to lure the tribe's attention by blowing a whistle before he landed on the island for about five minutes. Police reports indicate that reviews of his GoPro footage confirmed his illegal visit.
Indian law prohibits any travel within 5km of the island to protect the Sentinelese people, whose lack of immunity to outside diseases could prove catastrophic if contacted. Police disclosed that Polyakov had attempted to visit the region previously, including a kayak expedition that was thwarted by hotel staff last October. Media reports state that he identified himself as a "thrill-seeker" during his recent arrest.
Jonathan Mazower, a spokesperson for Survival International, emphasized that visits from individuals fueled by social media fascination pose unprecedented risks to uncontacted tribes. Reports connecting Polyakov to a YouTube channel featuring exploits in various countries illustrate this rising trend among influencers, who may jeopardize the well-being of already vulnerable communities.
Mazower pointed out that the Sentinelese are often cited as "the most isolated Indigenous people in the world," residing on an island comparable in size to Manhattan, with an estimated population of around 200. However, their precise numbers remain unknown. He characterized the tribe as a hunter-gatherer community with a healthy lifestyle.
The charity underscored the importance of governmental protections for isolated groups like the Sentinelese, especially given their vulnerability to external threats. Although India's government has initiated measures to safeguard tribal welfare, it has faced criticism in recent years for its deficient protective measures against eviction and encroachment.
Historical instances of contact with the Sentinelese reinforce the urgency of these protections; in 2018, the tribe killed John Allen Chau, a US missionary who attempted to visit their island unlawfully. These events highlight the ongoing need for vigilance and respect for the rights of uncontacted communities worldwide.
