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'Arunachal Pradesh' ( ''Aruṇācal Pradeś'') is the eastern most state on India's north-east frontier. Itanagar is the capital of the state. The state is part of India, although China still holds aterritorial claim over portions of the state.^[1] Arunachal Pradesh is next to the state of Assam to the south and Nagaland is to the south east. Myanmarlies towards the eastern side of the state, Bhutan towards the west, while the Line of Actual Control separates it from China to the north.
Arunachal Pradesh means "land of the rising sun"^[2] ("pradesh" means "state" or "region") in reference to its position as the easternmost state of India. Arunachal Pradesh is claimed by the PRC as an integral part of its territory. The territory ,together with Ngari, Shannan and Nyingchi Prefectures by the Chinese authorities is claimed as South Tibet (''Zangnan'' 藏南)^[3]
Most of the people living in Arunachal Pradesh are either of Tibetan or Thai-Burmese origin. Another 16% of the population are immigrants, including 30,000 Bangladeshi and Chakma expatriates, and immigrants from other parts of India, notably Assam and Nagaland.

Contents

History

Geography

Climate

Education

Sub-divisions

Demographics

Economy

Transport

Tourism

See also

Notes

External links

History

The first ancestors of the tribal groups migrated from Tibet during the pre-historic period, they were joined by Thai-Burmese counterparts later. Except for the northwestern parts of the state, little is known about the history of Arunachal Pradesh, although the Adi (or Adi) tribe had legendary knowledge of the history. Recorded history was only available 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 of Monyul, which flourished between 500 B.C. and 600 A.D. This region then came under the loose control of Tibet and Bhutan, especially in the Northern areas. 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 on the ancient history of Arunachal Pradesh. Paintings of the Hindu gods and altars remained untouched for many years. They attracted many local pilgrims. 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 provides historical evidence of the Buddhist tribal peoples. Historically, the area had close relationship with Tibetan people and Tibetan culture, for example the sixth Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso was born in Tawang.^[4]
In 1913-14 British administrator, Sir Henry McMahon, drew up the 550-mile McMahon Line as the border between British India and Tibet during the Simla Conference, as Britain sought to advance its line of control and establish buffer zones around its colony in South Asia. The Tibetan and British representatives at the conference agreed to the line, which ceded Tawang and other Tibetan areas to British India; however the Chinese representative refused to accept the line owing to domestic pressures. The Chinese position since then has been that since China was sovereign over Tibet, the line was invalid without Chinese agreement. Furthermore, by refusing to sign the Simla documents, the Chinese Government had escaped according any recognition to the validity of the McMahon Line.^[5]
For the first two decades after the Simla Conference, the Survey of India did not show the McMahon Line as the border between British India and Tibet either; only in 1937 did they publish a map showing it as the official boundary; in 1938 the Survey of India published a map showing Tawang as a part of Tibet. In 1944, Britain established administrations in the area, from Dirang Dzong in the west to Walong in the east. Tibet, however, altered its position on the McMahon Line in late 1947 when the Tibetan government wrote a note presented to the newly independent Indian Ministry of External Affairs laying claims to Tibetan districts south of the McMahon Line.^[6] The situation developed further as India became independent and the People's Republic of China was established in the late 1940s: with the PRC poised to take over Tibet, India unilaterally declared the McMahon Line to be the boundary in November 1950, and forced the Tibetan administration out of the Tawang area in 1951, despite protests by the PRC and Tibet.^[7][8] The PRC has not recognized the McMahon Line since. (In 1959, a suppressed Tibetan uprising resulted in PRC's abolition of Tibet's self-ruling government headed by the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala, India, where he continues to lead the Tibetan Government-in-Exile. Maps published by the Tibetan Government-in-Exile now show the McMahon Line as the southern border of Tibet.)
The NEFA (North East Frontier Agency) was created in 1954. The issue was quiet during the next decade or so of cordial Sino-Indian relations, but erupted again during the Sino-Indian War of 1962. The cause of the escalation into war is still disputed by both Chinese and Indian sources. During the war in 1962, the PRC captured most of the NEFA. However, China soon declared victory and voluntarily withdrew back to the McMahon Line and returned Indian prisoners of war in 1963. The war has resulted in the termination of barter trade with Tibet, although in 2007 the state government has shown signs to resume barter trade with Tibet.^[9]
Of late, Arunachal Pradesh faces threat from resistance groups, notably the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN), who were believed to have base camps in the districts of Changlang and Tirap.^[10] There were occasional reports of these groups harassing the local people.^[11]

Geography

Much of Arunachal Pradesh is covered by the Himalayas, although parts of Lohit, Changlang and Tirap,which are covered by the Patkai. Kangto, Nyegi Kangsang , the main Gorichen peak and the Eastern Gorichen peak are some of the highest peaks in this part of the Himalayas.
Recently at 2006, Bumla pass in Bomdila, was opened after 44 years for the first time for the traders. The traders from both the sides were permitted to enter each other territories. The Himalayan ranges that extends up to the eastern Arunachal separates it from China. The ranges extend towards the Nagaland, and form a boundary between India and Burma in Changlang and Tirap district, it acts as a natural barrier it is called Patkai Bum Hills. It is low level ranges as compared to Greater Himalayas.^[12]

Climate

The climate of Arunachal Pradesh differs with the elevation. Areas that are at a very high elevation in the Upper Himalayas close to the Tibetan border enjoy an alpine or Tundra climate. While below the Upper Himalayas are the Middle Himalayas, where people experience a climate which is temperate. Fruits like apples, oranges, etc are grown here in this region. Areas at the sub-Himalayan and sea-level elevation generally experience a humid sub-tropical climate, along with the hot summers and mild winters.
Arunchal Pradesh receives heavy rainfall of 80 to 160 inches (2,000 to 4,000 mm) annually, most of it pours down 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.

Education

The current education system of India is currently at child stage. State government are pushing by taking help of various NGO like Vivekananda Kendra.
Vivekananda Kendra plays vital role by their project through Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas (VKVs) in Arunachal Pradesh, known as Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas Arunachal Pradesh Trust http://www.vkvapt.org.

Sub-divisions

Arunachal Pradesh is divided into Sixteen districts, each administered by a district collector, who sees to the needs of the local people. Especially along the Tibetan border, the Indian army has considerable presence due to the concern about Chinese intentions.
Special permits called Inner Line Permits (ILP) are required to enter Arunachal Pradesh through any of it checkgates on its border with Assam.
Districts of Arunachal Pradesh:

★ Anjaw District

★ Changlang District

★ East Kameng

★ East Siang

★ Kurung Kumey

★ Lohit District

★ Lower Dibang Valley

★ Lower Subansiri

★ Papumpare

★ Tawang District

★ Tirap District

★ Upper Dibang Valley

★ Upper Subansiri

★ Upper Siang

★ West Kameng

★ West Siang

Demographics

Main articles: Demographics of Arunachal Pradesh

63% of the Arunachalis belong to 19 major tribes and 85 tribes, who had a tradition which is a diverse and of rich culture, language and beliefs. Most of them are either of Tibetan or of Tai-Burmese origin. Another 35% of the population are made up of the immigrants, including 31,000 Bangladeshi, Bodo Hajong and Chakma expartriates, and immigrants from other notable parts of India, Assam and Nagaland. The most major tribes include the Adi, Nishi, Monpa and Apatani.
The literacy of the State rose to 54.74% from 41.59% in 1991. As of today, the number of literates is 487,796. Recent statistics shows that 36% of Arunachal's population are Animist ^[13], who follow Animistic religions such as Donyi-Polo and Rangfrah. 37% are Hindus. Tribes who follow Hinduism include the Nocte and Miri ^[13].^[15] Another 13% are practicing Buddhists ^[13]. Tibetan Buddhism predominates in the districts of Tawang, West Kameng and isolated regions adjacent to Tibet, and Theravada Buddhism is practiced by tribal groups living near the Burmese border.

Economy

This is a chart of trend of gross state domestic product of Arunachal Pradesh at market prices estimated by ''Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation'' with figures in millions of Indian Rupees.

Year	Gross State Domestic Product
1980	1,070
1985	2,690
1990	5,080
1995	11,840
2000	17,830

Arunachal Pradesh's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $706 million in current prices. Agriculture is the primary driver of the economy. Jhum, the local word for shifting cultivation, which was widely practised among the tribal groups has come to be less practiced. Arunachal Pradesh has close to 61,000 square kilometers of forests, and the forest-products are the next most significant sector of the economy. Among the crops grown here are rice, maize, millet, wheat, pulses, sugarcane, ginger and oilseeds. Arunachal is also ideal for horticulture and fruit orchards. Its major industries are sawmills, plywood (these two trades however have been stopped by law), rice mills, fruit preservation units and handloom handicrafts.

Transport

The state's airports are located at Itanagar, Daparjio, Ziro, Along, Tezu and Pasighat. However, owing to the rough terrain, these airports are mostly small and cannot handle many flights, they were actually used for transportation of food, when these parts were not connected by the roads. Arunachal Pradesh has two highways; the 336km National Highway 52, completed in 1998, connects Jonai with Dirak.^[17] There is another highway which connects Tezpur in Assam with Tawang.^[18]
Now in 2007, every village is connected by road. It's due to fund that central government has provided. every small town has got its own bus station and daily bus services are available. All places are connected to Assam, so increasing the trading capacity. A National Highway is being constructed on the famous Stillwell Road, which connects Ledo in Assam to Jairampur in Arunachal.

Tourism

Arunachal Pradesh attracts tourists from many parts of the world. Tourist attractions include the Namdapha tiger project in Changlang district, Sela lake near to Bomdila, the bamboo bridges hanging over the river. Historical attractions include Malinithan in Lekhabali and Rukhmininagar near Roing, place where Rukhmini, lord Krishna's wife, used to live.
Parshuram kund in lohit district, is believed to the lake where Pashuram washed away all his sins. Rafting and trekking are also available. A visitor's permit from the tourism department is required.[7]

See also

★ List of disputed or occupied territories

★ List of people from Arunachal Pradesh

★ Religion in Arunachal Pradesh

★ Sino-Indian relations

Notes

1. China revives claims on Indian territory
2. [1]
3. India and China on parade
4. 仓央嘉措生平疏议 (Biography of Cangyang Gyaco; in Chinese)
5. Lamb, Alastair, ''The McMahon line: a study in the relations between India, China and Tibet, 1904 to 1914'', London, 1966, p529
6. Lamb, 1966, p580
7. http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/jun/21spec.htm
8. http://www.centurychina.com/plaboard/uploads/1962war.htm
9. PM to visit Arunachal in mid-Feb
10. Apang rules out Chakma compromise
11. [2]
12. [3]
13. http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/ 2001 Indian Census Data
14. http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/ 2001 Indian Census Data
15. [4]
16. http://www.censusindia.net/religiondata/ 2001 Indian Census Data
17. [5]
18. [6]

External links

★ http://tagekanno.blogspot.com

★ Official Government website of Arunachal Pradesh

★ Official Website of Director of Information & Public Relations, Printing

★ State Transport Services

★ Tourism Department of Arunachal Pradesh

★ Scenic Beauty from Arunachal Pradesh

★ Large Map of the Disputed Region

★ Arunachal Pradesh Internet Directory

★ Photographs of Arunachal Pradesh

★ portal of Indian leaders, states, and districts

★ 1962 Border War between India and China(Henderson brook report)

★ Arunachal Pradesh Flowers

★ In Search of New Identities by Pura Tado, The Telegraph, Kolkata, May 24, 2004.

★ C-NES profile

★ NGO's in Arunachal Praedesh

★ Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas Arunachal Pradesh Trust

★ [http://www.future.org/pages/03_country_programs/2_india/011_arunachal_overview.html

★ Why China is playing hardball in Arunachal by Venkatesan Vembu, Daily News & Analysis, May 13, 2007.

★ China, India, and the fruits of Nehru's folly by Venkatesan Vembu, Daily News & Analysis, June 6, 2007