Anini
Anini | |
|---|---|
District Headquarters | |
| An Aerial view of Anini. An Aerial view of Anini. | |
| Country | India |
| State | Arunachal Pradesh |
| District | Dibang Valley |
| Sub-district | Anini Circle |
| Elevation | 1,968 m (6,457 ft) |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 2,264 |
| Demonym | Aninese |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (Indian Standard Time) |
| Postal Index Code (India) | 792101 |
| Indian Telephone Prefix | 03801 |
| ISO 3166 code | IN |
| Population[1] | |
Anini (Template:Lang-hi) is the headquarters of the Dibang Valley district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. Anini was also the district headquarters of the undivided Dibang Valley district. It is a small underdeveloped town, mainly because of its remoteness. Yet, it still has basic road and air links to the rest of India. The Idu Mishmi tribal people constitute a majority here. The town is fully dependent on the nearest major settlement, Roing, which is in the Lower Dibang Valley District, for most commercial needs.
Etymology
Anini's name may have come from Inini or Innini. Historical maps of Arunachal Pradesh (in times before the Lower Dibang Valley district was carved out of the Dibang Valley District in 2001[2] and before Roing was established) indicate the capital of the Dibang Valley District being "Inini".[3] That name may have come from the Idu word "inni". Inni is the Idu Mishmi's supreme deity or god.
History
Like the history of Arunachal Pradesh, Anini's history is cloudy. The native Idu Mishmis and other tribes were said to have migrated from ancient Tibet back in the 1st or 1st millenium BC. They have been believed to have stopped in Lhoyu. Lhoyu became under Tibetan control around the 7th century.[4] Although inhabited by Idu Mishmis in all that time, it took until the times of NEFA and the British Raj for Anini to be officially established. Anini's importance grew during World War II, when supplies and troops needed to be sent to China through the Ledo Road in Assam. In 1947, Anini became apart of the Union of India like the rest of India. At this point the Republic of China was free to claim most of Arunachal making it, and Aksai Chin under dispute. The People's Republic of China emerged in 1949, and once the British left in 1950, Arunachal and Aksai Chin were under dispute. Since then, they remained under dispute. In June 1980, the Dibang Valley district was finally carved out of the Lohit District, and Anini was pronounced capital.[5] Since then, Anini has been the only district headquarter without proper road links to the rest of India.
Geography
Anini is located between the Dibang River and Mathun rivers which are tributaries of the Brahmaputra. Most of Anini is located on a miniature plateau. Anini has a subdistrict of its own: Anini Circle.[6] As of 2001, there were 4,069 people living in Anini Circle.[7] Anini is located just south of the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary making Anini the northernmost district headquarters in Northeast India.
Elevation
Anini's elevation ranges from a low 1698 metres above sea level,[8] to as high as 2438 meters. On the Aninese Plateau, the average elevation is 1800 meters,[9] but the average elevation of the town is 2068 meters. According to Google Maps' terrain feature, Anini is around 1600–1800 meters above sea level and up north of Anini, the elevation can go up to 3800 meters above sea level! According to the official website of the Dibang Valley District, Anini's altitude is at 1968 metres above sea level. [10]
Earthquakes
Anini is located on the Eurasian Plate, about 420 miles north of the junction of the Indian and the Eurasian Plates, which makes Anini earthquake-prone. The 1950 Medog earthquake badly affected both the Dibang and Lower Dibang Valleys. 70% of the residents of the area died in this earthquake.[11] On June 2, 2005 at 01:36 AM IST, a 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit the Upper Dibang Valley district. Although there were not any casualties reported, landslides blocked communication between Anini and other villages in the district. The seismic upheaval was felt all around Arunachal Pradesh and in some areas of Tibet.
Mountains
The closest mountain to Anini is relatively unnoticed. Its name, Kelingon was named by the local Midu Idus. Also there is another mountain. Kahaii Kala, which peaks at around 5000 meters above sea level is the highest around the region. Like Kelingon, it was named by the locals.[12]
Climate
Anini's climate varies by elevation. In the lower elevations, the climate is humid subtropical. In the climate around the plateau, it is temperate. Anini's temperature ranges from 18°C to 22°C. Anini is within the monsoon zone and receives both the southwest monsoon of South Asia and the northeast monsoon of East Asia. During the May–October time, Anini receives 80% of its precipitation. Snowfall is quite common in the winter, and can become quite heavy (6m - 10m) in the mountains.[13]
Language
The main language of Anini is the Midu Dialect of the Idu Mishmi Language. Midu is the northernmost dialect of the Idu Mishmi Language.[14] The Midu Dialect is only spoken in Anini.[15]
Demographics
Anini has a population of 2,264. There are 1,331 males and 933 females. There are 613 households in the town. Anini is not yet a census town, needing about 3,000 more people to become one.[16] Anini may be come one sooner than anticipated due to the Dibang Valley district's high popualation growth rate of 33.61 permille. (as of 2001) [17] Idu Mishmis, also known as Yidu Lhoba in China, are the main inhabitants of the district.
Infrastructure
Although remote, the town has basic infrastructure. There is a government hospital,[18] a CBSE school (Government Higher Secondary School of Anini) with 450 students on roll, district library, police station, and accomodation for visitors including a hostel by the name of Jawohar Navodaya Vidalaya and a Circuit House. Dr. Saga Migri is the medical superintendent at the hospital.[19] There is also a helipad,[20] which is used by the Arunachal Helicopter Service for transportation and by other helicopters bringing in supplies from Roing.[21][22]
Airports
The nearest airport from Anini is the Tezu Airport, about 200 km by road. The easiest way to get to Anini is through the Dibrugarh Airport (through Guwahati airport), though. Anini also will be affected by the Itanagar Greenfield Airport Project, which was announced in early 2008.[23] It is unlikely that Anini will get a nearby airport anytime soon due to the sparce population.
Construction and development
There is a steel arch bridge under construction over the River Dri (Dibang River]) near Anini.[24] The 135-meter span bridge will have a single lane carriage-way with thrust blocks at each end. It will be sponsored by the Public Works Department of Arunachal Pradesh and by Damodar Ropeways and Construction. (Calcutta)[25]
The state government mentioned in the 2005-2006 Annual Plan about the:[26]
- "Infrastructure development of Government Higher Secondary School at Anini."
- "Improvement of Township Road network at Anini."
- "Infrastructure development of District Hospital at Anini."
There is also a dam being constructed. The Dibang Valley Dam, also known as the Dibang Dam, will not seriously affect Anini since it is in the Lower Dibang Valley. It is approximately 43 kilometers from Roing, at Munli.[27] The Dibang Dam, once completed in 2017, will be the tallest concrete gravity dam in the world.[28] The dam will also be the tallest dam in India, at 288 meters tall. It will also have the largest amount of power generation. Also, a meeting has taken place at Anini to discuss the quick start of a new highway from Roing to Anini. This project is under the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP) which is run by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of India. It will run through the dam site at Munli, which will shorten the existing 228-kilometer Roing-Anini Highway by 89 kilometers. The government officials and the local Panchayat leaders who were present at the meeting endorsed the plan.[29] After the road is completed, the Dibang area would socioeconomically and constructively boost. This road will also connect with Hunli, Munli, Chidu, and Alopa. The Rs 600 crore two-lane highway will run through Roing Bazaar, from Meka, and will secure Anini with good connectivity with the rest of India.
Arunachal Helicopter Service
The Arunachal Helicopter Service makes several stops to Anini, connecting Anini to the rest of Arunachal and the Dibrugarh (Mohanbari) Airport in Assam. Anini is a main stop in both the Dauphin and the MI-172 Helicopters' schedule.
Protests of neglect
Although these efforts are being made to improve the infrastructure in Anini, The Arunachal Times newspaper claims that Anini has been neglected due to "frequent communication disruption and deteriorating health conditions." The Government Higher Secondary School hasn't had either a principle or a vice-president for two years. A similar situation is present with the Jawohar Navodaya Vidalaya school in Anini. The All Idu Mishmi Students Union (AIMSU) as well as the Dibang Valley Students Union (DVSU) are protesting about the apparent miserable conditions in Anini. The AIMSU secretary Rajiv Mihu feels that, "None of the government employees want to serve in the remote district. The people of Dibang Valley aren't scaring them away. It is the pitiful living conditions that are driving them away." The government responded to the situation by assuring the protesters that the required amount of teachers will be hired, and a new vice principle and principle will be deputed. "Anini is neglected politically," commented Mihu. “Similar protest action in Roing would have shaken the political corridors of Itanagar.” [30]
Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary
The Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary, is located just north of Anini and was established in 1992. The region is very mountainous, and snowfall is common in this region. It is protected by the Department of Environment and Forest of Arunachal Pradesh. The altitude ranges from an absolute low of 1800 meters. to the peak of Kalaii Kala: 5000 meters. Some infrastructure that you may find are the forest rest house and a hiking trail.[31]
Flora
The vegetation of Arunachal ranges from temperate to alpine. Temperate broadleaf forests and Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests are found around 1800–2800 meters above sea level and 2800–3500 meters above sea level is where the temperate coniferous forests are found. Alpine forests are found at an altitude off 3500+ meters and are mostly covered in snow year round. Some other plants that are found include Bamboo, Tsuga, and Abies.
Fauna
The Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary consists of many animals and in variety. This sanctuary serves as a refuge for animals.
Herbivores
Here are some herbivores that are found:
Carnivores
Here are some carnivores that are found:
- Clouded Leopard in the lower altitudes,
- Snow Leopard in the higher altitudes.
Politics
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Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election
2004-09
The winning candidate for the position of the MLA of Anini was Shri Rajesh Tacho, winning 41.57 percent of the 3038 valid votes in 2004. There were actually 4741 voters, even though Anini's population is only 2264 people. He had a lead margin of 260 and a total number of 1263. He is a part of the Indian National Congress Party.[32] Also, he was re-elected in 2009, barely beating Eri Tayu of the Nationalist Congress Party by 81 votes.[33] Tacho also was nominated as Chairman of the Committee of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly on Balanced Development of CD Blocks in Arunachal Pradesh, replacing Shri Lombo Tayeng, who has resigned after his induction into the Council of Ministers, otherwise known as the Cabinet of Arunachal Pradesh.[34]
Claims
Anini is a town north of the Chinese claim line, hence it is claimed by the People's Republic of China and India.[35] In India, the region is known as Northern Arunachal Pradesh. In China, this area is referred to as South Tibet. This conflict is due to the McMahon Line.
Alternative Names
Due to the two countries claiming it, Anini has many different names. (India calls it Anini and the Chinese have different ways of saying it)
- Anini (Indian)
- Giannini (formal to China)
- Annini (informal to China)
- 安尼尼 [36] (Google Maps' interpretation in Chinese)
- 阿尼尼(Chinese)[37]
- Ilupu (possibly native) (name listed on Google Maps and Google Earth)
- Inini or Innini, old name, used in the times of NEFA to before Roing was established.[38]
See also
Sources, References, and Citations
- ^ Census of India, 2001 - If link has expired, go here
- ^ Official website of Lower Dibang Valley - History
- ^ Dibang Valley Map
- ^ Xiaoming Zhang (2004). China's Tibet. 五洲传播出版社. p. 23. ISBN 7508506081.
- ^ Tribal Women of Arunachal Pradesh: socio-economic status - page 83 ISBN 817099909X
- ^ Census of India (2001)
- ^ Gopal K. Bhargava & S.C Bhatt (2006). Land and people of Indian states and union territories. Volume 3: Arunachal Pradesh. Kalpaz Publications & Gyan Publishing House. p. 356. ISBN 8178353598. page 53
- ^ Tribal women of Arunachal Pradesh By Veeranki Maheswara Rao page 83 ISBN 817099909X
- ^ Hyperendemic Foci of Hepatitis B Infection in Arunachal Pradesh, India
- ^ Dibang Valley District At a Glance
- ^ Tribal women of Arunachal Pradesh By Veeranki Maheswara Rao page 83 ISBN 817099909X
- ^ Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary
- ^ Dibang Wild Life Sanctuary
- ^ Phonetics
- ^ Jimi Pulu (2002). A hand book on the Idu Mishmi language. Dept. of Cultural Affairs, Directorate of Research, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh. p. 116. ISBN 8175161124.
- ^ Census of India
- ^ Dibang Valley Data Sheet
- ^ Hospitals and Health Units of Arunachal Pradesh
- ^ List of Hospitals in Arunachal Pradesh
- ^ Wikimapia
- ^ Arunachal Pradesh Helicopter Non-Scheduled Flight Service Local Sector (Dauphin) w.e.f. 01/09/2009 (Sector : All Arunachal Pradesh except Tawang)
- ^ Arunachal Pradesh Helicopter Non-Scheduled Flight Service Local Sector (MI-172) w.e.f. 01/09/2009 (Sector : All Arunachal Pradesh except Tawang)
- ^ Itanagar Greenfield Airport Project
- ^ CDC Bridge Operations
- ^ Damodar Ropeways and Construction
- ^ REVIEW OF ANNUAL PLAN 2005-06
- ^ NHPC Limited
- ^ HydroWorld - BIG DAMS
- ^ ROING NEWS: Developement (sic) for whom?[dead link]
- ^ Times: Neglected Anini
- ^ Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary
- ^ State Elections 2004 - Constituency wise detail for 41-Anini Constituency of Arunachal Pradesh
- ^ Results of 2009 MLA elections of Arunachal Pradesh
- ^ The Arunachal Pradesh Gazette - Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Secretariat - Naharlagun
- ^ Google Earth
- ^ Google Maps
- ^ Hudong Wiki (Chinese)
- ^ Maps of India
