The Dangers of North Sentinel Island

On a secluded island in the Indian Ocean, there exists a tribe of indigenous people that actively defends their territory against outsiders. This island, North Sentinel, is recognized as one of the hardest places to visit and is regarded as the most dangerous on the planet.

Legal Restrictions and the Sentinelese

India has implemented strict regulations that prohibit its citizens from visiting North Sentinel Island or attempting to establish contact with its inhabitants. In fact, it is illegal to approach within three miles of the island.

The tribe, known as the Sentinelese, has a reputation for their violent reactions and strong refusal to engage with outsiders. Due to their isolation, very little is known about their habitat, which is largely cloaked in dense forest.

In 2006, two fishermen who accidentally landed on the shore were swiftly attacked and killed by the tribe. Moreover, helicopters from the Indian Coast Guard, whether conducting surveillance or delivering supplies, are often targeted with arrows and stones.

The Threats Facing the Tribe

Nobody can accurately determine the population of the Sentinelese, but estimates suggest there are between 50 and 100 individuals. They have remained isolated on North Sentinel for over 60,000 years, according to anthropological studies.

However, advocates for tribal rights assert that the Sentinelese are at risk of extinction. According to Survival International, this tribe is labeled as the most vulnerable population globally, as they lack immunity to common diseases such as the flu.

As illegal fishermen and adventurers seeking shipwrecks draw nearer to the island, they jeopardize the health of the tribe. Additionally, some anthropologists have voiced concerns about tourism surges in nearby Andaman and Nicobar Islands that could inadvertently bring visitors closer to North Sentinel Island.

Stephen Corry, director of Survival International, stated, “The Great Andamanese tribes were decimated by disease during British colonization in the 1800s. The only way to prevent the annihilation of another tribe is to ensure North Sentinel Island remains protected from outsiders.”