The Odisha government on Wednesday denied existence of "human safari" in the state but ordered an enquiry to "ascertain facts" in response to some media reports which said some tour operators organised tours of foreigners promising a close look at the Bonda tribals, one of world's most primitive
tribes.
Odisha chief secretary BK Patnaik said: "The chief minister has directed to send an officer to the area and give a report. Action will be taken accordingly."
A leading national daily, in a London datelined story, claimed that tour operators were offering a close look at the heavily beaded and nearly naked Bonda tribals.
Numbering just about 5000 Bonda tribals live in the Bonda hill areas in Malkangiri district, more than 600 km southwest of Bhubaneswar.
Malkangiri collector Balbant Singh said there was no question of "human safari" in the district. "It is not so easy for foreigners to visit the area as there are lots of restrictions on their movement. No such incident has come to our notice," he said.