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Arunachal Pradesh, with a small population of 1.1 million, covers an area of 83743 Km2. This region acquired independent political status in 1972 as a Union Territory under the name of Arunachal Pradesh, finally becoming the 24th state of Indian Union in 1987. Resplendent with lush green forests, deep river valleys and beautiful plateaus, the land is mostly mountainous with the Himalayan range along the northern borders criss-crossed with ranges running north-south. These segregate the state into the Kameng, the Subansiri, the Siang, the Lohit and the Tirap river valleys. In 2006 Bumla pass in Tawang was opened to traders for the first time in 44 years. Traders from both sides of the pass were permitted to enter each other's territories, in addition to postal workers from each country. |
How to Get There:
By Air: The state has five airports, which are more airstrips than airports, owing to the rough terrain which limits their size and makes approaches hazardous. Only small aircraft can use these airstrips, which were originally meant and used for logistic supplies. These are located at Daparjio, Ziro, Along, Tezu and Pasighat.
By Road:
Road is the only viable mode of transportation, and every village has been connected by road. Two National Highways run through the state, with a third in the offing. Today, every small town proudly owns a bus station and provides daily bus services. Ultimately, however, the bus routes out of the state all end up in Assam.
Special Requirement: ALL tourists require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) which can be acquired from any of the Arunachal Pradesh Houses in New Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati. There are 3 sectors in AP and ILPs are provided sector-wise.
1) Bomdila, Dirang, Tawang
2) Itanagar, Ziro
3) Namdapha, Changlang
• If you are visiting Bomdila sector, the easiest way to get there is by road from Tezpur (Assam). You can get to Tezpur by air, rail or road. From Tezpur, shared vehicles are available from the wee hours of the morning. Do halt at the picturesque Tse La pass. Snowbound during winters, the view has a touch of marquetry. Although the roads are good, the area is prone to landslides in the rainy season.
• If you are visiting Namdapha, then the nearest airport will be Dibrugarh (Assam).
• There are no direct flights to Itanagar and the nearest airport is Tezpur.
Climate: The climate of Arunachal Pradesh is elevation regulated. Areas that are at a very high elevation in the Upper Himalayas enjoy an alpine or Tundra climate. In the Middle Himalayas, the climate is temperate. But it is very hot and humid at the lower altitudes and in the valleys covered by swampy dense forests, particularly in the eastern segment. Average annual rainfall here is 350 cm.
Travel Circuits:
There are a total of eleven circuits in Arunachal Pradesh:
• Tezpur- Bhalukpong - Bomdila - Tawang
• Tinsukia - Tezu- Parasuramkund
• Margherita- Miao- Namdapha
• Itanagar- Ziro - Daporijo - Along - Pashighat.
• Roing-Mayudia-Anini
• Pasighat-Jengging-Yingkiong
• Tezpur - Seijosa (Pakhui) - Bhalukpong – Tipi
• Along – Mechukha
• Existing Pasighat- Jenging –Yingkiong to be extended upto Tuting
• Daporijo - Nacho Circuit via Taliha and Siyum
• Ziro - Palin – Nyapin – Sangram - Kaloriang
• Doimukh – Sagalee - Pakke Kessang – Seppa
The best circuit by far is the Tezpur- Bhalukpong - Bomdila – Tawang route, which also takes in Tengah, Tse La, Tipi and Jang. This circuit takes the visitors from Tezpur in the plains of Assam to the seventeenth century Tawang Monastery which overlooks the wide Tawang Valley at an altitude of 3,000 m.
After crossing Bhalukpong and the Bhareli river, the route starts its climb, traversing through Tengah valley with the Nuranang river offering snow and rainbow trout fishing. Tipi is a botanical station housing 500 varieties of orchids which grow abundantly in different parts of Arunachal Pradesh. Next comes Bomdila, a great option for adventure sports activities. It is famous as a trekking destination for trekking lovers. The best time for trekking is from October to February. White-water rafting and angling are also possible here The Tse La Pass, at an altitude of 4,600 m enroute, runs through a high altitude lake of crystal blue water. Both sides of the lake proudly display miles of rhododendrons of various hues. From Tse La, you descend 3,000 m to Jang to cross over to the last leg and climb all the way back to 3,100 m to reach Tawang town. At Tawang, you must visit the Anni Gompa, a Buddhist monastery managed by nuns. Anni means nun. It is not accessible by road; NooraNag falls, one of the largest falls near Tawang and Madhuri Lake, named after a famous Indian actress.
Demographics:
Broadly, the entire population may be divided into three cultural groups based on their socio-political and religious affinities. The Monpas and Sherdak Pens of Tawang and West Kameng districts follow the Lamaistic tradition of Mahayana Buddhism. Culturally similar to them are Membas and Khembas who live in the high mountains along the northern borders, Khamptis and Singphos inhabiting the eastern part of the State are Buddhists of the Hinayana sect. They are said to have migrated from Thailand and Burma long ago and still use ancient scripts brought from their original homeland.
The second group of people of Adis, Akas, Apatanis, Bungnis, Nishis, Mishmis, Mijis, Thangsos, etc. worship the Sun and the Moon God, namely, Donyi-Polo and Abo-Tani, the original ancestor for most of these tribes. Their religious rituals largely coincide with the phases of agricultural cycles. They traditionally practise Jhum or shifting cultivation. The third group comprises Noctes and Wanchos in the Tirap district . These are hardy people known for their structured village society in which the hereditary village chief still plays a vital role. The Noctes also practise an elementary form of Vaishnavism.
Around 19% of the population are said to be Christians, and this percentage is probably
growing due to Christian missionary activities in the area, whereas Buddhism is practised by 13% of the population. Literacy is at 58%.
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