Survival International, an organisation which lobbies for the rights of “tribal” people, has warned about the growing trend of “influencers” trying to contact isolated and uncontacted people around the world.
This comes after an American tourist, Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, allegedly landed on North Sentinel Island, while filming himself leaving a coconut and a can of coke.
North Sentinel Island is part of the Andaman Island group, and is home to the Sentinelese people, one of the last uncontacted groups of people on Earth. It is administered by India.
Polyakov had allegedly blown a whistle on the shore of the island in an attempt to get the attention of Sentinelese, spent five minutes on the beach while filming himself, and then returned to his vessel.
The Indian police said that he had been remanded into custody, as it is illegal for anyone to visit the island.
Survival international said Polyakov had endangered his own life and that of the people living on the island.
It is estimated that there are about 200 people on the island who live a hunter-gatherer lifestyle and have made clear their wish to be left alone by modern society.
Survival International says they are the most isolated group of people on Earth.