Social,
Environmental & Economic Sustainability
Our analysis of the rank of the district
Backwardness : Does not figure in list of 447 backward
districts
Sex Ratio Rank : 250
(Rank one is least sex ratio - Cenus 2001)
HIV Category District : C
(HIV Sentinel Surveillance 2004 -2006)
Disability : 556 (Census 2001)
Literacy Ratio : 364 (Census 2001)
Minority : Does not figure in MCD
Challenges of the
district : Our research with local communities
Following are the social and developmental challenges
of East Siang district:
Lack of government support in developing the situation of the
district.
Many of the people and children do not receive nutritious diet.
Drinking water is contaminated. This has led to many water borne
diseases among the residents of the district.
Brief About East Siang District
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.
