East Kameng

The East Kameng district is located in Arunachal Pradesh. It shares an international border with Tibet in the north, a state border with Assam and district borders with West Kameng, Papumpare and Kurung Kumey, who bifurcated from Lower Subansiri on April 1 2000. Under Chinese sovereignty claim, East Kameng falls under the jurisdiction of Cuona of Shannan Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region.

Geography

Like West Kameng, the East Kameng district experiences an arid tundra or a cool temperate climate in the north to a humid subtropical climate in the southern sub-himalayan hills bordering Assam. Owing to its climatic diversity, plants that are suitable climate such as apples, oranges, etc planted in orchards.

Economy

Most tribes practise shifting agriculture, locally known as Jhum. Crops like Barley and Rice were planted, and fruits are planted in orchards. Fishing activities that first started between 1965-66 and gained momenteum from November 1980, when the Department first started functioning independently. As of today, the Fishery development activities is headed by District Fishery Development Officer, who was originally the Superintendent of Fisheries. However, this department had few subordinate staffs. Funds were also given for rural agriculture and Paddy-cum-Fish Culture activities.

With the advancement of modern technology, horiculture is becoming increasingly popular. Today, temperate and sub-tropical fruits are planted in orchards with chemical fertilisers.

People

East Kameng is inhabited by various tribes of similar origin with distinct cultures and beliefs, practising the Donyi-Polo religion. The most populous of these, the Nishi, are scattered throughout the entire district. Other tribes, especially the Miji, Sulung and the Aka, are found in regions near the Kameng river.

Since independence, much of the population has relocated to the district capital, Seppa. With the coming of modernism, festivals such as the Sarok of the Aka, Nyokum of the Nishi, Jonglam-Ponklam and Chindang of the Miji and the Gumkum-Gumpa are celebrated in full flair in Seppa.

History

The area around the Kameng river have traditionally came under the control and influence of the Mon kingdom, Tibet and the Ahom kingdom. Aka and Nishi chiefs would exert control over the area whenever no major political powers dominated the area.

The Kameng Frontier Division was renamed as the Kameng District. The Political Officer was also redesignated as the Deputy Commissioner of Kameng. However, due to political reasons, the Kameng district was bifurcated between East Kameng and West Kameng on the 1st June 1980.

Tourism

East Kameng is a worthwhile place to visit. One of these is the Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary, a place where it shows a wide range of wildlife. Seppa, the capital, hosts beautiful tribal dance festivals that adds colors to the natural landscape. Cool and clear as they were, tourists can also take a good look at the view of the mighty Himalayas from the hill stations of Bameng, Chayangtajo and Pakke-Kessang.

External links

* [http://eastkameng.nic.in/ Official Website]
* [http://www.indianngos.com/districts/eastkameng_about.htm District profile]