The Jarawas are one of the indigenous tribal communities of the Andaman Islands and are among the particularly vulnerable tribal groups of India. Traditionally, they have lived in the forests and coastal areas of South and Middle Andaman, maintaining a close relationship with their natural environment. Their traditional economy has been based mainly on hunting, gathering, fishing and other forest resources. Their social life, culture and survival have historically depended upon their control over their traditional territory. The creation of the Jarawa Reserve was an important measure intended to protect their land, culture and way of life from outside interference. The reserve covers a large forested area traditionally inhabited by the Jarawas. It provides them with access to forests, hunting grounds, freshwater sources and coastal resources. The legal protection of the reserve recognizes that tribal communities require secure control over their traditional habitats for their physical and cultural survival. The reserve also aims to protect the Jarawas from exploitation by outsiders.