East Kameng
Encyclopedia
East Kameng district is one of the 16 districts of Arunachal Pradesh
state in northeastern, India
. 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
, which was bifurcated from Lower Subansiri district on April 1 2000.
Under the Chinese sovereignty claim, East Kameng would fall under the jurisdiction of Cuona of Shannan Prefecture
of the Tibet Autonomous Region
.
has at various times come under the control and influence of the Mon kingdoms, 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, for political reasons, the Kameng district was bifurcated between East Kameng and West Kameng
on June 1, 1980.
's Unimak Island
.
Like West Kameng
, the East Kameng climate ranges from arid in the tundra
of the north through a cool temperate climate to a humid subtropical climate in the southern sub-himalayan hills bordering Assam
.
agriculture known as Jhum. After clearing the land, crops like barley and rice are planted, and fruit trees are planted to make orchards. Fishing activities first started between 1965-66 and gained momentum in November 1980, when the Fishery Department first started functioning independently. As of today, the Fishery development activities are headed by a District Fishery Development Officer, who was originally the Superintendent of Fisheries. However, this department was understaffed. Funds were also given for rural agriculture and Paddy-cum-Fish Culture activities.
With the advancement of modern technology, horticulture
based on apples and oranges is becoming increasingly popular. Today, temperate and sub-tropical fruits are planted in orchards with chemical fertilizers.
There are 5 Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
constituencies located in this district: Bameng, Chayangtajo, Seppa East, Seppa West and Pakke-Kasang. All of these are part of Arunachal West Lok Sabha constituency
.
has a population
of 78,413 , roughly equal to the nation of Dominica
. This gives it a ranking of 624th in India (out of a total of 640
). The district has a population density of 19 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
over the decade 2001-2011 was 37.14 %. East Kameng has a sex ratio
of 1012 females
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
of 62.48 %.
East Kameng is inhabited by various tribes of similar origin but 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.
further to the east, it appears to be a separate branch of Tibeto-Burman. Koro is unlike any language in the various branches of the Tibeto-Burman family. Researchers hypothesize it may have originated from a group of people enslaved and brought to the area.
Koro was recognized as a separate language in 2010 by a linguistic team of David Harrison, Gregory Anderson, and Ganesh Murmu while documenting two Hruso languages
(Aka and Miji) as part of National Geographic's "Enduring Voices" project. It was apparently noticed by earlier researchers.
can be viewed from the hill stations of Bameng, Chayangtajo and Pakke-Kessang.
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is a state of India, located in the far northeast. It borders the states of Assam and Nagaland to the south, and shares international borders with Burma in the east, Bhutan in the west, and the People's Republic of China in the north. The majority of the territory is claimed by...
state in northeastern, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It shares an international border with Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
in the north, a state border with Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
and district borders with West Kameng
West Kameng
West Kameng is a district of Arunachal Pradesh in India. It accounts for 8.86% of the total area of the state. Under Chinese sovereignty claim, West Kameng falls under the jurisdiction of Cuona County of Shannan Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region...
, Papumpare and Kurung Kumey
Kurung Kumey
Kurung Kumey district is one of the 16 districts of the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, with its district headquarters in Koloriang.-Origin of name:...
, which was bifurcated from Lower Subansiri district on April 1 2000.
Under the Chinese sovereignty claim, East Kameng would fall under the jurisdiction of Cuona of Shannan Prefecture
Shannan Prefecture
The Shannan Prefecture also known as the Lhoka Prefecture is a prefecture in the southeastern area of the Tibet Autonomous Region...
of the Tibet Autonomous Region
Tibet Autonomous Region
The Tibet Autonomous Region , Tibet or Xizang for short, also called the Xizang Autonomous Region is a province-level autonomous region of the People's Republic of China , created in 1965....
.
History
The area around the Kameng riverKameng River
The Kameng River in the eastern Himalayan mountains, originates in Tawang district from the glacial lake below snow capped Gori Chen mountain , on the India-Tibet border in South Tibet and flows through Bhalukpong circle of West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh and Sonitpur...
has at various times come under the control and influence of the Mon kingdoms, Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
and the Ahom kingdom
Ahom kingdom
The Ahom Kingdom was a medieval kingdom in the Brahmaputra valley in Assam that maintained its sovereignty for nearly 600 years and successfully resisted Mughal expansion in North-East India...
. Aka
Aka (tribe)
The Aka, also known as Hrusso, are found in the Thrizino , Bhalukpong , Buragaon, Jamiri, Palizi, Khuppi area in West Kameng of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Their language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family....
and Nishi
Nishi (Tribe)
- Nyishi People :The Nyishi people principally inhabit the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Known as the Nyishi ....
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, for political reasons, the Kameng district was bifurcated between East Kameng and West Kameng
West Kameng
West Kameng is a district of Arunachal Pradesh in India. It accounts for 8.86% of the total area of the state. Under Chinese sovereignty claim, West Kameng falls under the jurisdiction of Cuona County of Shannan Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region...
on June 1, 1980.
Geography
occupies an area of 4134 square kilometres (1,596.1 sq mi), comparatively equivalent to AlaskaAlaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
's Unimak Island
Unimak Island
Unimak Island is the largest island in the Aleutian Islands chain of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is the easternmost island in the Aleutians and, with an area of 1,571.41 mi² , the ninth largest island in the United States and the 134th largest island in the world. It is home to Mount...
.
Like West Kameng
West Kameng
West Kameng is a district of Arunachal Pradesh in India. It accounts for 8.86% of the total area of the state. Under Chinese sovereignty claim, West Kameng falls under the jurisdiction of Cuona County of Shannan Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region...
, the East Kameng climate ranges from arid in the tundra
Tundra
In physical geography, tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands," "treeless mountain tract." There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, alpine...
of the north through a cool temperate climate to a humid subtropical climate in the southern sub-himalayan hills bordering Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
.
Economy
Most tribes practise a form of slash and burnSlash and burn
Slash-and-burn is an agricultural technique which involves cutting and burning of forests or woodlands to create fields. It is subsistence agriculture that typically uses little technology or other tools. It is typically part of shifting cultivation agriculture, and of transhumance livestock...
agriculture known as Jhum. After clearing the land, crops like barley and rice are planted, and fruit trees are planted to make orchards. Fishing activities first started between 1965-66 and gained momentum in November 1980, when the Fishery Department first started functioning independently. As of today, the Fishery development activities are headed by a District Fishery Development Officer, who was originally the Superintendent of Fisheries. However, this department was understaffed. Funds were also given for rural agriculture and Paddy-cum-Fish Culture activities.
With the advancement of modern technology, horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
based on apples and oranges is becoming increasingly popular. Today, temperate and sub-tropical fruits are planted in orchards with chemical fertilizers.
Divisions
The district is divided into 2 sub-divisions: Seppa and Chayangtajo, which are further divided into 13 administrative circles, namely, Chayangtajo, Sawa, Khenewa, Bameng, Lada, Gyawe Purang, Pipu, Seppa, Richukhrong, Pijirang, Pakke-Kessang, Seijosa and Dissing Passo.There are 5 Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly
The Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly is the unicameral state legislature of Arunachal Pradesh state in north-eastern India. The seat of the Legislative Assembly is at Itanagar, the capital of the state...
constituencies located in this district: Bameng, Chayangtajo, Seppa East, Seppa West and Pakke-Kasang. All of these are part of Arunachal West Lok Sabha constituency
Arunachal West (Lok Sabha constituency)
Arunachal West Lok Sabha constituency is one of the two Lok Sabha constituencies in Arunachal Pradesh state in northeastern India...
.
Demographics
According to the 2011 census2011 census of India
The 15th Indian National census was conducted in two phases, houselisting and population enumeration. Houselisting phase began on April 1, 2010 and involved collection of information about all buildings...
has a population
Demographics of India
The demographics of India are inclusive of the second most populous country in the world, with over 1.21 billion people , more than a sixth of the world's population. Already containing 17.5% of the world's population, India is projected to be the world's most populous country by 2025, surpassing...
of 78,413 , roughly equal to the nation of Dominica
Dominica
Dominica , officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, is an island nation in the Lesser Antilles region of the Caribbean Sea, south-southeast of Guadeloupe and northwest of Martinique. Its size is and the highest point in the country is Morne Diablotins, which has an elevation of . The Commonwealth...
. This gives it a ranking of 624th in India (out of a total of 640
Districts of India
A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Districts are further subdivided, in some cases into Sub-Divisions, and otherwise directly into tehsils or talukas.District officials include:...
). The district has a population density of 19 PD/sqkm . Its population growth rate
Family planning in India
Family planning in India is based on efforts largely sponsored by the Indian government. In the 1965-2009 period, contraceptive usage has more than tripled and the fertility rate has more than halved , but the national fertility rate is still high enough to cause long-term population growth...
over the decade 2001-2011 was 37.14 %. East Kameng has a sex ratio
Sex ratio
Sex ratio is the ratio of males to females in a population. The primary sex ratio is the ratio at the time of conception, secondary sex ratio is the ratio at time of birth, and tertiary sex ratio is the ratio of mature organisms....
of 1012 females
Women in India
The status of women in India has been subject to many great changes over the past few millennia. From equal status with men in ancient times through the low points of the medieval period, to the promotion of equal rights by many reformers, the history of women in India has been eventful...
for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate
Literacy in India
Literacy in India is key for socio-economic progress, and the Indian literacy rate grew to 74.04% in 2011 from 12% at the end of British rule in 1947. Although this was a greater than sixfold improvement, the level is well below the world average literacy rate of 84%, and India currently has the...
of 62.48 %.
East Kameng is inhabited by various tribes of similar origin but with distinct cultures and beliefs, practising the Donyi-Polo
Donyi-Polo
Donyi-Polo is an animist religion, literally meaning "Sun-Moon" . It is followed by many of the tribal groups of Arunachal Pradesh, India like the Galos, Adis, Apatanis, Nishis, Hill Miris, Mishings...
religion. The most populous of these, the Nishi
Nishi (Tribe)
- Nyishi People :The Nyishi people principally inhabit the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Known as the Nyishi ....
, are scattered throughout the entire district. Other tribes, especially the Miji
Miji
The Miji, also known by the names of Sajolang and Damai, inhabit the districts of West Kameng and East Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh, India...
, Sulung and the Aka
Aka (tribe)
The Aka, also known as Hrusso, are found in the Thrizino , Bhalukpong , Buragaon, Jamiri, Palizi, Khuppi area in West Kameng of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Their language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family....
, are found in regions near the Kameng river
Kameng River
The Kameng River in the eastern Himalayan mountains, originates in Tawang district from the glacial lake below snow capped Gori Chen mountain , on the India-Tibet border in South Tibet and flows through Bhalukpong circle of West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh and Sonitpur...
.
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
Aka (tribe)
The Aka, also known as Hrusso, are found in the Thrizino , Bhalukpong , Buragaon, Jamiri, Palizi, Khuppi area in West Kameng of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Their language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family....
, Nyokum of the Nishi
Nishi (Tribe)
- Nyishi People :The Nyishi people principally inhabit the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. Known as the Nyishi ....
, Jonglam-Ponklam and Chindang of the Miji
Miji
The Miji, also known by the names of Sajolang and Damai, inhabit the districts of West Kameng and East Kameng in Arunachal Pradesh, India...
and the Gumkum-Gumpa are celebrated in full flair in Seppa.
Koro
The Koro is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken by approximately 800–1200 people in the East Kameng district who live among the Aka (Hruso), but their language is distantly related, with distinct words for basic vocabulary. Although it has resemblances to TaniTani languages
Tani, Miric, Adi–Galo–Mishing–Nishi , or Abor–Miri–Dafla is a compact family of Tibeto-Burman languages situated at the eastern end of the Himalayas, in an area skirted on four sides by Tibet, Assam, Bhutan, and Burma....
further to the east, it appears to be a separate branch of Tibeto-Burman. Koro is unlike any language in the various branches of the Tibeto-Burman family. Researchers hypothesize it may have originated from a group of people enslaved and brought to the area.
Koro was recognized as a separate language in 2010 by a linguistic team of David Harrison, Gregory Anderson, and Ganesh Murmu while documenting two Hruso languages
Hruso languages
The Hruso languages are a small family of Tibeto-Burman languages of India. They are Hruso , Dhammai , and possibly also Levai , which may be a dialect of Hruso but which some scholars leave unclassified.-References:...
(Aka and Miji) as part of National Geographic's "Enduring Voices" project. It was apparently noticed by earlier researchers.
Tourism
East Kameng has some tourist attractions. One of these is the Pakhui Tiger Reserve, with a wide range of wildlife. Seppa, the capital, hosts beautiful tribal dance festivals that adds color to the natural landscape. The HimalayasHimalayas
The Himalaya Range or Himalaya Mountains Sanskrit: Devanagari: हिमालय, literally "abode of snow"), usually called the Himalayas or Himalaya for short, is a mountain range in Asia, separating the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau...
can be viewed from the hill stations of Bameng, Chayangtajo and Pakke-Kessang.