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Arunachal Pradesh |
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Information about Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh, the land of the rising sun, is the remotest
and one of the loveliest region in the North East India. To
the north of Assam lies the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Arunachal Pradesh is a unique holiday destination and also one
of the most least populated states in the entire North East. Arunachal Pradesh is largest of all the north eastern states
and also the remotest as it has no railways and only air
services to three of its towns. It covers an area of 83,743
square km. Arunachal Pradesh shares border with the Myanmar,
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and China and
located in the extreme North East of India. This mysterious
isolated land is being protected from the ills of
over-development and its consequent problems, due to
restricted entry regulations. The state of Arunachal Pradesh
has such a magical charm that it attracts the visitor due to
its natural beauty, tribal culture, craft traditions and
splendid wildlife. The capital of the State is Itanagar. It is
blessed by a delightful variegated climate, that is perfect
for holidays at any time of the year. It also provides the
tourists, the verdant valleys, misty mountain peaks, swift
rivers and the finest wildlife sanctuaries. Because of its
strategic location, an inner line permit from Government of
India is needed to explore the area.
History of Arunachal Pradesh
Some of the areas of Arunachal Pradesh are so isolated that an
Indian army reconnaissance recently revealed that a tribe is
still living in caves and leading a nomadic life. They ate
their food in uncooked state and are ignorant about the
discovery of fire. They were leading the solitary life
untouched and unaware of the global development and revolution
occurring in this fast changing world. The references to this
region are mentioned in the ancient "Puranas". The recorded
history can be traced only when the Ahom kings of Assam began
to rule in the 16th century and took the possession of Assam
in 1838. The British Christened, originally known as North
East Frontiers Agency (NEFA) took administrative control of
Arunachal Pradesh and it remained under their control till
1948. In 1873, the British stopped free movement policy and
this policy was resumed only after the Indian independence. It
was placed under the administration of the Union Government in
1948 and attained the status of Union Territory under the name
of Arunachal Pradesh on January 20th 1972. It was however
acknowledged as a full-fledged state only on 20th February
1987 and converted into a legislative assembly. The state of
Arunachal Pradesh is divided into eleven districts, each under
the control of the Deputy Commissioner. The Indian Government
has decided to open the state for tourism. But due to its
typical strategic location, an inner line permit is required
to explore the region. |
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Geography of Arunachal Pradesh
The serried ridges and peaks of the Eastern Himalayas of
Arunachal Pradesh rise from the tropically lush valley
of the Brahmaputra River. Almost 80 per cent of the
state is under forest cover, which varies from the
sub-tropical to the alpine in the upper regions of the
northwest, bordered by the Himalayas. The forests have a
dynamic blend of an amazing flora and fauna from north
to south, and interspersed with rich valleys where the
ancient tribes resides in the picturesque village.
Strung out along the misty hilltops and |
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deep valleys,
its picturesque townships and villages are the first in the
land to be kissed by the rays of the morning sun giving
Arunachal Pradesh, a unique position. Plunging down from
rugged peaks are emerald valleys which are fed by the
intricate cobweb of rivers and streams that criss–cross this
vast land. The mighty Siang River, that start as the Tsangpo
in the Mansarovar in Tibet is fed by the mighty Brahmaputra
River in Assam. Besides this, some other rivers are the Kameng,
Subansiri, Lohit and the Tirap and their numerous tributaries,
that offer tourists various opportunities for white river
rafting, angling, climbing, trekking and tribal tours.
Climate of Arunachal Pradesh
The climate in Arunachal Pradesh is highly hot and humid at
the lower altitudes and in the valleys wrapped by marshy thick
forest particularly in the eastern region, while it becomes
too cold in the higher altitudes. Average temperature during
the winter months range from 15 to 21 degree Celsius and 22 to
30 degree Celsius during monsoon. Between June and August the
temperature sometimes go up to 40 to 42 degree Celsius. The
rainfall of Arunachal Pradesh in amongst the heaviest in the
country. The annual average rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh is
more than 350 cm.
People of Arunachal Pradesh
The 800,000 inhabitants of Arunachal Pradesh are divided into
Mangoloid and Tibeto-Burmese tribes and various sub-tribes.
The people are simple, friendly, hospitable and follow the
traditional lifestyles. Some of the major tribes are the
Wanchos, Noctes, Khamtis, Singphos, Tangsas, Adis, Akas,
Apatanis, Mishis, Nyishis and Mijis, Monpas and Sherdukpens,
Tawang and Membas. Most of them practice Buddhism.
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Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh
The festivals form an essential part of the
socio-cultural life of the people of the Arunachal
Pradesh. Such festivals are celebrated at a larger sale
for thanking the Gods for their providence and for
saying a prayer for a bumper crop. Some of the important
festivals which are celebrated throughout the year are
Solung, Mopin, Losar, Torgya, Saka Dawa, Dukpa Tse-Shi,
Lhabab Dueshen, Ganden Ngamchoe, Nyukom Yullow, Mopin,
Nyokam, Boori Boot, Dree, Nechi Dau, Khan, Kshyat-Sowai,
Loku, Ojiayle, Reh, Sanken, Reh, Oriah, Si-Donyi and
Tamladu. |
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Dances of Arunachal Pradesh
The dances form an important part in the life of the tribes
and people of Arunachal Pradesh. These people dance during
important rituals, festivals and also for recreation. Most of
the dances are accompanied by songs sung generally in chorus.
The dances of the people of Arunachal are group dances, where
both men and women take part. Some of the popular folk dances
of Arunachal Pradesh are Aji Lamu, Roppi, Hiirii Khaniing,
Popir, Pasi Kongki, Chalo, Ponung, Rekham Pada, Lion and
Peacock dance.
Art and Crafts of Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a land of the beautiful handicrafts.
These handicrafts are available in a wide variety. All the
people have a tradition of artistic craftsmanship. A wide
variety of crafts such as weaving, painting, pottery, smithy
work, basketry, woodcarving etc. are found among the people of
Arunachal Pradesh. From the point of view of art and culture,
the area can be divided into three zones. From Arunachal
Pradesh, one can buy a variety of momentos like paintings,
woodcarvings, carpets, shawls etc. |
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Wildlife Sanctuaries in Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is home to a very rich variety of
wildlife population due to the wide variety of
altitudinal and climatic conditions and different types
of forests. There are two national parks and four
wildlife sanctuaries in Arunachal Pradesh. It is home to
many rare and highly endangered species of wildlife like
Mishmi, Takin, Hoolock Gibbon, Musk Deer, Bharal, Hisbid
Hare, Flying Squirrel and more than 500 species of
birds. Numerous species of butterflies, moths, beetles
and all other kinds of small creatures have made
Arunachal Pradesh a paradise for entomologists and
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naturalists.
More than 500 rare species of orchids are also found in Arunachal Pradesh. Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary, Kane Wildlife
Sanctuary, Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mouling National Park,
Namdapha National Park, Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, Sessa
Orchid Sanctuary are the various wildlife sanctuaries in
Arunachal Pradesh.
How to
reach Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh has very limited connections by commercial
transport with the rest of India. Arunachal Pradesh is well
connected by air from Kolkata through Dibrugarh in
neighboring Assam, Lilabari and Guwahati. Itanagar, the
capital and other small towns are well connected by
roads and there is a road from Tezpur to Bomdila and Tawang.
The old road to Mandalay ran from Ledo crossing the Burmese
border through the Pangso Pass. |
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