Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an archipelago consisting of 319 islands of which only 38 are inhabited. The islands are home to lush green tropical forests and surrounded by emerald waters teeming with marine life. How and when the islands were populated is a mystery. Archaeological evidence suggests that people entered by land or sea rout from Myanmar, These people may have migrated from South East Asia. The Andaman’s oral tradition suggests that all the various tribes of Andaman were one tribe till a huge cataclysm hit sinking parts of the land and separating them into different tribes.

The island is extremely rich in terms of natural resources. There are many types of vegetation such as Mangroves, Bamboo forests, Littoral forests, deciduous forests and Evergreen forests. In terms of fauna there are no large animals except the wild boar, monitor lizards, spotted deer and barking deer (both brought by the British). There are several species of birds as well as snakes. The sea is another rich resource full of fish, crab, prawn, turtles as well as crocodiles in the tidal creeks.

The Jarawas have excellent knowledge of the prevalence of various species and their uses. Other than using plants for food, they also utilize them for construction of houses, medicinal purposes (including insect repellant and contraception), adornment, and the making of tools and weapons. Common edible plants are the khatta phal (Baccaurea ramiflora), bet phal (Calamus longistus) and tendu (Diaspyros andamanica). During dry season wild jackfruit ( aab) and its seed comprise a high percentage of the food intake.