ARUNACHAL PRADESH

ARUNACHAL PRADESH

Area: 83,743 sq km, Population: 10,97,968 (census 2001 Prov.), Capital: Itanagar
Principal Languages: Monpa, Miji, Aka, Sherdukpen, Nyishi, Apatani, Tagin, Hill Miri, Adi, Digaru-Mismi, Idu-Mishmi, Khamti, Miju-Mishmi, Nocte, Tangsa and Wancho.

HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY

Arunachal Pradesh, the erstwhile North-East Frontier Agency shares international boundaries with Bhutan, Tibet, China and Myanmar to the west, north-east, north and east respectively, and the state boundaries with Assam and Nagaland. The terrain consists of submontane and mountainous ranges, sloping down to the plains of Assam, divided into valleys by the rivers Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Lohit and Tirap. There are practically no records relating to the history of this area, except some oral literature and a number of historical ruins found mainly in the foothills. Subsequent explorations and excavations have identified the ruins as dating approximately from the early Christian era. The historical evidence indicates that not only was the area well known, but the people living here had close relations with the rest of the country.
Modern history of Arunachal Pradesh, begins with the inception of British rule in Assam after the treaty of Yandaboo concluded on 24 February 1826. Before 1962 the area was popularly known as the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), and was constitutionally a part of Assam. Because of its strategic importance, however, it was administered by the Ministry of External Affairs until 1965 and subsequently by the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Governor of Assam. In 1972 it was constituted as a Union Territory and renamed Arunachal Pradesh. On 20 February 1987, it became the 24th state of the Indian Union.

AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE

Agriculture is the mainstay of the people of Arunachal Pradesh and mainly depends on jhum cultivation. Encouragement is being given to the cultivation of cash crops like potatoes and horticulture crops like apples, oranges and pineapples.

INDUSTRIES AND MINERALS
For conservation and exploration of the vast minerals the Arunachal Pradesh Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Limited (APMDTCL) was set up in 1991. Namchik-Namphuk coal fields are taken up by APMDTCL To provide training to craftsmen in different trades there are two Industrial Training Institutes at Roing and Daporijo.

FESTIVALS
Some of the important festivals of the State are:

• Mopin and Solung of the Adis,
• Lossar of the Monpas and Boori-boot of the Hill Miris,
• Sherdukpens,
• Dree of the Apatanis,
• Si-Donyi of the Tagins,
• Reh of the ldu-Mishmis,
• Nyokum of the Nishis, etc.
• Animal sacrifice is a common ritual in most festivals.
  

TOURIST CENTRES
Places of tourist interest are :

• Tawang,
• Dirang,
• Bomdila,
• Tipi,
• Itanagar Malinithan,
• Likabali,
• Pasighat,
• Along,
• Tezu,
• Miao,
• Roing,
• Daporijo Namdapha,
• Bhismaknagar,
• Parashuram Kund and Khonsa.

PANCHAYATI RAJ
The Arunachal Pradesh State Election Commission in support of State Govt. has sucessfully conducted and completed Panchayati Raj Elections in the State in the month of May 2008 for speedy development in the village and grass root level.

GOVERNMENT
Governor: K. Sankaranarayanan, Secretary : C.P. Mansai, Chief Minister: Dorjee Khandu
Jurisdiction of : Falls under Guwahati , Speaker : Setong Sena