| INDIA TRAVELS >>
ARUNACHAL PRADESH |
Pristine
forests of Namdapha |
| Arunachal
Pradesh ,one of the most sparsely populated
states of India, covers an area of 83743 sq.
Kms. This region acquired an independent political
status in January 20, 1972, when it was declared
as Union Territory under the name of Arunachal
Pradesh. The state of Arunachal Pradesh Bill
was passed by the Parliament in 1986 and with
effect from February 20, 1987 Arunachal Pradesh
became the 24th state of Indian Union. |
| It
is a land of 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 divide the
state into five river valleys: the Kameng,
the Subansiri, the Siang, the Lohit and the
Tirap. All these are fed by snow from the
Himalayas and countless rivers and rivulets.
|
Namdapha
National Park |
| The weather and the climate of Arunachal
Pradesh are quite distinct from the rest of
the country. The climate of the State is dominated
by the Himalayan system and the altitudanal
variations. The climate is highly hot and
humid at the lower altitudes and in the valleys
covered by swampy dense forest particularly
in the eastern section, while it becomes exceedingly
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 may go up
to 40-42 degree celsius.The rainfall of Arunachal
Pradesh in amongst the heaviest in the country.
The annual average rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh
is more than 350cm. There are 26 major tribes
and a number of sub-tribes inhabiting the
area. Most of these communities are ethnically
similar, having derived from original Mongoloid
stock but their geographical isolation from
each other has brought amongst them certain
distinctive characteristics in language, dress
and customs. |
Buddha
Statue |
Broadly, the entire population may be divided
into three cultural groups based on their
socio-politico-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 Hinayana sect.
They are said to have migrated from Thailand
and Burma long ago and still using ancient
scripts derived from their original homeland. |
| The
second group of people of Adis, Akas, Apatanis,
Bungnis, Nishis, Mishmis, Mijis, Thangsos
etc. who 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 Jhuming 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
elementary form of Vaishnavism. |
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