Arunachal Pradesh
| |
| Abbreviation | AU; AUP |
| Capital | Itanagar |
| Country | India |
| Location |
– 27 °N |
| Area | 83,743 sq km |
| Population | 1,091,117 (2001) |
| Districts | 16 |
| Statehood day | 20 February, 1987 |
| Languages spoken | Adi, Nishi, Monpa |
| Chief Minister | Gegong Apang |
| Governor | Vinod Chandra Pande |
Arunachal Pradesh (अरुणाचल प्रदेश) is a northeastern state of India. Formerly called NEFA (North East Frontier Agency), was part of state of Assam until 1987. It was given the statehood status after taking into consideration the security consideration in the east and Sino-Indian tensions.
Most of Arunachal Pradesh is claimed by the neighbouring People's Republic of China, which does not recognise the state itself nor its northern boundary, the McMahon Line. Instead, China calls the area South Tibet (藏南 pinyin: Zàngnán), and puts the area nominally under the jurisdiction of four counties of Tibet Autonomous Region: Cona County, Nang County, Mêdog County, and Zayü County. Arunachal Pradesh is one of two regions disputed between India and the PRC, the other disputed region being Aksai Chin.
History
The first ancestors of the tribal groups migrated from Tibet during the pre-historic period, who were later accompanied by Thai-Burmese counterparts in the later centuries.
Except for the northwestern parts of the state, little is known about the history of Arunachal Pradesh, although the Apatani tribe had legendary knowledge of the history. Recorded history was only avaliable in the Ahom chronicles during the 16th century. The tribal Monpa and Sherdukpen do keep historical records of the existence of local chiefdoms in the northwest as well. Northwestern parts of this area came under the control of the Monpa kingdom Monyul, which flourished between 500 B.C. and 600 A.D. This region then came under loose control of Tibet, especially in the Northern areas, and the remaining parts of the state, especially those bordering Myanmar, came under the control of the Ahom and the Assamese until the annexation of India by the British in 1858.
Recent excavations of ruins of Hindu temples such as the 14th Malinithan at the foot of the Siang hills in West Siang shed new light to the ancient history of Arunachal Pradesh. Paintings of the Hindu gods and altars remained untouched for many years attracted many local visitors to pay pilgrimage as well. Another notable heritage site, Bhismaknagar, suggested that the Idu Mishmi had a local civilisation. The third heritage site, the 400-year-old Tawang monastery in the Tawang district also opened more historical factual accounts to the Buddhist tribals.
In 1913-14, the British adventurer, Sir Henry McMahon, implented the 550-mile McMahon Line in Shimla. This was later unapproved by the Chinese government in 1947, saying that the claim was never approved and a map in the Encyclopædia Britannica of 1929 showed the Indo-Chinese border stretching right up to the border of the Assamese plains. Following this dispute, the Chinese troops crossed the McMahon Line on the August 26, 1959, and captured an Indian outpost at Longju, a few miles south of the line. They abandoned this in 1961 but in October 1962 crossed the line once again, this time by force. After striking toward the Tanglha ridge and Tawang, which is near the Bhutan border, the Chinese later extended their attack across the whole frontier. Deep inroads were made at a number of points. However, due to external pressures that developed in the meantime, the Chinese agreed to withdraw back to the McMahon Line and returned Indian prisoners of war in 1963.
Following that, the entire area changed its name from North East Frontier Agency and became part of Assam. Arunachal Pradesh gained statehood in 1987 after taking into consideration the security consideration in the east and Sino-Indian tensions but was not recongnized by China. Christian growth also tapered off, owing to the intervention of Christian missionaries.
Geography
Much of Arunachal Pradesh is covered by the mighty Himalayas, although parts of Lohit, Changlang and Tirap are covered by the Patkoi Hills instead.
Climate
The climate of Arunachal Pradesh varies with elevation. Areas with very high elevation in the Upper Himalayas near the Tibetan border enjoy an alpine or Tundra climate. Below the Upper Himalayas come the Middle Himalayas, where people experience temperate climate. Fruits like apple, oranges, etc can be planted. Areas at the sub-Himalayan and sea-level elevation experience a humid sub-tropical climate, where they experience hot summers and mild winters.
The state receives heavy rainfall of 80 to 160 inches (2,000 to 4,000 mm) annually, most of it falling between May and September. The mountain slopes and hills are covered with alpine, temperate, and subtropical forests of dwarf rhododendron, oak, pine, maple, fir, and juniper; sal (Shorea) and teak are the main economic species.
Sub-divisions
Arunachal Pradesh is divided into sixteen districts, each administered by a district collector, who see the needs of the local people. Especially along the Tibetan border, the Indian army has large control over the territory, owing to the fact that China would make isolated cases of negotiations with India over the area. Especially in the Northern areas and areas near the Indo-Burmese border and Nagaland, where Naga-Christian militant groups have been alleged of harassing the local people, special permits are needed to be accquired to enter these areas.
A new district, Anjaw, is formed in 2004, with its capital based at Hawai.
The districts are:
- Anjaw
- East Kameng
- East Siang
- Kurung Kumey
- Lohit
- Lower Dibang Valley
- Lower Subansiri
- Papumpare
- Tawang
- Tirap
- Upper Dibang Valley
- Upper Subansiri
- Upper Siang
- West Kameng
- West Siang
Demographics
Main Article: Demographics of Arunachal Pradesh
65% of the Arunachalis belong to 20 major-collective tribes and 82 tribes, who had a heritage of diverse but rich culture, language and beliefs. Most of them are either of Tibetan or of Thai-Burmese origin. Another 35% of the population belongs to members of the 30,000 Bangladeshi and Chakma expartriates, and immigrants from other parts of India, notably Assam and Nagaland.
The most notable tribes include the Adi, Nishi and Monpa.
Total literacy of the State rose to 54.74% from 41.59% in 1991. As of today, the number of literates is 487,796.
About half of the state population follow the Donyi-Polo religion. Another 42% follow Buddhism and Hinduism, with the Christians and Muslims accouting for the remainder.
Economy
Most of its people got its economy from agriculture. Jhum, the local word for shifting cultivation,which was widely practised among the tribal groups has come to be less practiced. The forest-products are the next source of economy. Among the crops grown here are rice, maize, millet, wheat, pulses, sugarcane,ginger and oilseeds. Arunachal is also ideal for horticulture and fruits. They are grown in orchards.
Its major industries are sawmills, plywood (the two trades however have been stopped by the law), rice mills, fruit preservation units and handloom handicrafts.
Politics
The state of Arunachal Pradesh has four political parties, namely:
Transport
The airports in Arunachal Pradesh are located at Itanagar, Daparjio, Ziro, Along, Tezu, Pashigat. However, owing to its rough terrain, these airports are largely poorly-faciliated and hosts only no more than a few landing pads. The state does not have a port either, as the entire state is surrounded by almost-dry land.
