East Siang District
| Total Population : 87,397 |
| Total literate : 43,495 |
| Rural : 65,432 |
Urban : 21,965 |
| Male : 45,265 |
Female : 42,132 |
| Area : 4,005 sq.km. |
|
Collector
Office
: 0368 - 2222340
Fax : 2222302 / Home : 0368 - 2222222
MP : Loksabha
Arunachal
East : MP
Gao
Tapir
CONSTITUENCY : Arunachal East (Arunachal Pradesh )
East Siang
PARTY : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Present
Address
73, South Avenue,
New Delhi-110 011
Tels. (011) 23795030,
Fax. (011) 23795029
Permanent
Address
Vill & P.O., Ruksin,
Distt. East Siang (Arunachal Pradesh)
Tel. (0368) 2247217
Social
and Developmental Challenges
East
Siang
Y
Tayeng - Extra Asst Commissioner
Communication
Being a remote area, educational facilities like teaching
staff is not available as per the requirement
Lack of health infrastructure in rural areas
Lack of electricity
No proper supply of water
Brief
about District
Brief
Welcome
to the East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh.The
East Siang District is a wild mountainous area and
presents a remarkable topographical variety. The District
has an area of 4005 sq.km. and is lying approximately
between 27º 43' and 29º20' North latitudes
and 94º 42' and 95º 35' East latitudes.
The Name of the district is derived from the Mighty
River Siang that, originating from Tibet, where it
is called Tsangpo, transcends down and flows through
the entire length of the area until it descends down
into the plains of Asam south of Pasighat town, where
it meets Dihang and Lohit and becomes the Brahmaputra.
To
the East Siang District in the state of Arunachal
Pradesh in India. Deriving its name from the Mighty
Siang River, the District is the home of the Adi tribe,
and is a land of eternal beauty. Often called as the
'gateway to Arunachal Pradesh' the place is worth
a visit to have rendezvous with mother Nature in her
purest form.
The
People
The
East Siang District is mostly populated by the Adi
tribe which comprise of a large number of tribal groups
and can be divided into various subgroups such as
the Minyongs, Padams, Shimongs, Milangs, Pasis, Karkos,
Ashings, Pangis, Tangmas and Boris. Taken as a whole,
the Adis belong to the Astro-Mongolide race, are good
looking, sturdy and vigorous.
According to Griession's linguistic classification,
the language spoken in East Siang District are put
together under the North-Assam group of the Tibeto-Burmese
group. There are various theories regarding the original
home of the Adis; however it seems probable that they
came to their present habitat from the north, i.e.,
Tibet. River Siang had a major role in determining
the route of migration of most of the Adi clans. However,
the exact location of their original home in Tibet
or beyond that is still to be ascertained.
The
society in East Siang, like most parts of the state,
is organized on the basis of clan and village and
the social relationships are determined on the basis
of kinship or locality. The family, called rutum,
is the smallest social unit. The society is basically
patrilineal and patriarchal and the sons inherit the
property. One outstanding feature of the Adi society
that sets it aside from the mainland is the absence
of the caste system. Of course, there are some social
distinctions, but all people eat together on social
occasion and take their part in social councils.
Any mention of the Adi community of the district will
not be complete without giving a brief account of
the system of local-self government called Kebang.
These village councils are time-honored socio-political
institutions deriving their authority from tradition.
They function as village governments expressing the
will and power of the members of the society. The
functions of these Kebangs are three- fold - judicial,
administrative and developmental.
Dances
Dances
are an integral part of the lives of the people of
East Siang. These dances are simple, rythmic, colourful
and participative. They are performed at the slightest
pretext. Some of the famous dances are:
Ponung:
This dance of the Minyong group of Adis is performed
especially on the occassion of the Solung festival.
The priest, caled Miri, rattles and ancient Dao (sword)
and sings legands.
Popir: This dance is similar to Ponung but is performed
on the occasion of Mopin festival of the Galos. The
dancers wear white dresses and elaborate headgear
of straw.
Dishang: This dance is performed by men folk. It is
a community dance and sticks are used.
Tapu: This is an interesting martial dance. This is
performed with long traditional swords, vigourous
cries and rapid movements by men folk
What to See?
KEKAR
MONYING, a mountain cliff near Rottung is an important
historical place because it was here that the Adi
put up a strong resistance against the British in
1911. The war was a part of a punitive expedition
undertaken by the British for murdering Noel Williamson,
a political officer in the previous year by Matmur
Jamoh, a native of Yagrung village.
Komsing, a village on the left bank of the Siang is
the place of Williamson's murder. A stone epitaph
bearing the name of Noel. Williamson still lies near
the Siang. GOMSI, a cultivation area near Rani village
is another place of historical importance. In June'96
a team of archaeologists led by Shri T. Tada, Deputy
Director, Archaeology of the Research Department conducted
a trial excavation and survey in the site. They have
found apart from broken pieces of different evidence
of glorious past culture of early medieval period
(probably Pre-Ahom).
The site has a big rectangular Canal measuring 3.5
meters wide and a pond measuring 38x36 mts. in the
site. A mound has been unearthed inside the Canal
area from where 13 different sizes of bricks have
been found from it's brick wall.
Further excavation and extensive study is required
to arrive at a definite idea about the 11.5 acres
big settlement area.
D
Ering Wild Life Sanctuary
The
Daying Ering Wild Life Sanctury is located at a distance
of 13 kms. from Pasighat and is one of the few sancturies
located on an island. One has to cruise through River
Siangby country boat to reach the place. During September
- February, a variety of migratory birds like cranes,
wild-ducks, storks, water-fowlsand hornbils come here
from far-off places making it a paradise for the bird
watchers. Deers, wild elephants, buffaloes and smaller
predators are also abundent. The lucky visitors may
also have a glimpse of tiger.IS situated at a distance
of about 60 kms. from Pasighat, and connected by road,
it atands at a point where River Siyom meets River
Siang and presents a rare sight. The blue waters of
Siom meet the green Sinag and the beauty of the site
is to be seen to be believed.
Besides
above, the district is endowed with some exquisite
scenic locations particularly on both sides of the
Siang. There are also a number of rare plants and
herbs which are of medicinal importance. Botanists
amd Zoologists can have ample scope for study of the
rich plant and wild-life resources.
The locals still maintain their traditional Socio-cultural
practices and observe different festival like Mopin,
Solung, Unying-Aran, Etor, Pime, Ali-Aye Ligang etc.
They use various colourful costumes and perform dances
like Ponung, Delong, Gumrak Soman, Yakjong, Tapu and
various other folk dances. They can be of additional
aspects of interest specially for sociologists, anthropologists
and other culture tourists. Other
places of interest are Yambung, Boleng, Ranaghat at
Pasighat, Rottung, Ayeng village on the left bank
of the Siang, Balek, J.N. College, Craft centre, Pasighat
and District Museum run by Research Department.
Adventure
Tourism
Adventure
Sports :
Recognising
that tourism is a source of earning revenue and a
catalyst for transforming the economy and developmental
process of a State, the government of Arunachal Pradesh
has been taking up certain schemes and policies to
build up tourism infrastructure recently. The recent
upgradation of the Department with a Directorate's
establishment and launching of certain schemes like
acquiring of suitable sites for construction of Tourist
lodges, conducting of package tours, training of it's
officials and encouragement to private tour operators
are steps towards making tourism a viable economic
base for the future of the State.
East Siang with it's exotic natural surroundings,
rich forest and wild-life resources and pleasant climatic
conditions is a potential district for harnessing
the economic benefits from attracting tourists to
the State. The district has adequate resources to
offer following avenues of tourism to both domestic
and foreign visitors.
1.
Rafting:- The majestic Siang river flows through the
heart of the district finally joining the Brahmaputra
near Oriamghat in Assam. This river is suitable for
adventurisms white-water rafting. Already three rafting
expeditions from Gelling in far Upper Siang to Pasighat
have been conducted successfully. Two of the expeditions
were undertaken by Indian Army while the other one
was organised by a joint Indo-Japanese team in 1990.
Rafting down the 250 Km. long rapid starting from
Gelling to Pasighat is an experience which few rivers
in the country can match
2.
Trekking & Mountaineering.Besides rafting, trekking
and mountaineering has a high scope in the district.
There are a number of fascinating hills like BAPI
ADI, BAYOR ADI, KIKI, MESSING Plateau, RUM GONNG ADI
AND REGAM DITE etc. Average altitute of these mountains
is 3000 to 4000 feet from sea level. They are situated
at both sides of the Siang and are approachable from
Pasighat, Pangin and Boleng. Trekking can be organised
near the banks of the Siang villages located along
the Siang valley and the nearby hills.
3.
Angling
SIMANG, a confluence of Siang and one of it's tributaries,
Simang river is a popular angling spot near Boleng.
An angling festival was organised in '95 by the Department
of Tourism where some foreigners participated. Other
suitable angling sites are the confluence of Siyon
and Siang, Yambung, Dite-Dime etc.
Pasighat
Town
Pasighat
town, the headquarter of the East Siang District,
is situated at an altitude of 155 metres above main
sea level and is the oldest town in Arunachal Pradesh
- established in 1911 A.D. A political Officer was
appointed in that year with a view to help the natives
of the area to come down to the plains of Assam for
trade and commerce. It would not be wrong to say,
therefore, that the people of East Siang District
were the first natives of the state to come in contact
with the mainstream; and, it is therefore that this
district is called as `the gateway to Arunachal Pradesh'
The mighty Siang riveris the life-line of the East
Siang District and in Pasighat, it calms down before
entering Assam south of Pasighat. The town covers
an area of 4005 sq.kms. and supports a population
of nearly eighty thousand persons.
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