Cuttack, May 6: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha government to effectively check “nefarious activities of greedy tour operators” offering foreign tourists “human safaris” that provide a close look at the primitive Bonda tribals in Malkangiri.

Pipili-based social worker Akhand had filed a petition in January 12, 2012, alleging that tour operators were taking foreigners to the Bonda hills to display the tribals for monetary gains.

The petition had asked the commission to initiate stringent action against the tour operators and direct the government to protect the primitive tribe in the state.

In pursuance of the commission’s direction, the Odisha tourism department had submitted a report stating that guidelines restricting entry of foreign tourists in the areas inhabited by primitive tribes, including Bonda tribals, were issued way back in 1987 and all the collectors and superintendents of police had been asked to take action in letter and spirit.

However, erstwhile state panchayati raj department additional secretary Usha Padhee’s inquiry report showed that “the practice is still in vogue” and “the district officials have done nothing to stop the menace except issuing office orders”.

Taking note of this, the NHRC direction stated: “Rules and orders are in place to check the nefarious activities of tour operators. What is needed is their strict implementation. Any official found guilty of dereliction in duty in this regard should be dealt with promptly. It is the duty of the state government to see that all the laws and rules protecting the tribal of their dignity are used to their fullest extent.”

“The NHRC issued the direction when they closed the case on May 1, while expressing hope that the Odisha government would take adequate steps to stem the rot and also devise and implement development programmes for the particularly vulnerable tribal groups,” petitioner counsel Nishikanta Mishra told The Telegraph today.

“Usha Padhee had, in her inquiry report, suggested a comprehensive approach prepared in consultation with concerned departments at the state level to formulate the strategies for a fast-track development in the particularly vulnerable tribal groups area,” Mishra said.