Arunachal Pradesh

On the eve of the new millennium newspapers carried reports of a small and breathtakingly beautiful valley hidden in the hills. The reports stated that the valley of Dong, in Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh, and not Katchal of Andaman & Nicobar Islands was marked as the place to receive the first rays of the millennium sun in mainland India. This fact further confirmed by scientists and Survey of India officials prompted a rush of visitors to the remote spot, which was dubbed the Sunrise Village.

Tucked away in the far-eastern corner, Arunachal Pradesh, part of the eastern Himalayan range, is a vast and mountainous land crisscrossed by turbulent streams and rivers. One of the largest states (83,743 sq kms) in the region, it is also a veritable blanket of green with lush forests, deep river valleys and beautiful plateaus. Sharing its borders with Bhutan, China and Myanmar and stretching from the Bhramaputra valley in the south to the snow capped mountains, the state has nearly 82 per cent of its area under forest cover and has the distinction of being the greenest part of the country.

It is also one of the most sparsely populated states of India with a large tribal population. There are 26 major tribes and a number of sub-tribes inhabiting the area and most of these communities are ethnically similar, having derived from original Mongoloid stock. However, the high mountains and dense forests has prevented inter-communication between tribes living in different valleys. The isolation imposed by topography has brought amongst them certain distinctive characteristics in language, dress and customs.

Leading The Eco-Trail

With a combination of a rich bio-diversity and cultural heritage, Arunahcal Pradesh has the potential to make the state one of the prime destinations for adventure and eco-tourism in the country. Once described as the ‘Hidden Land’, Arunachal Pradesh opened its doors to tourists both domestic and international as recently as 1992. Since then, the allure of this unknown and fascinating land has held visitors in thrall, not merely due to its scenic beauty but also for its distinction as one of the last bastions of the tribal world that thrives in the ancient colourful and distinct way of life.

The state has a treasure trove of attractions for adventure, eco and cultural/tribal tourism. The extensive forest cover in the state hosts rich wildlife with many rare and endangered species like Mishmi, Takin, Hoolock Gibbon, Musk Deer, Bharal, Hisbid Hare, Flying Squirrel and more than 500 species of birds. The state boasts of two national parks and eight wildlife sanctuaries. Namdapha National Park (Project Tiger) in Tirap district has perhaps the widest diversity of habitat of any of South Asia's protected areas. Spread over 1985.23 sq kms it is unique with its elevation varying between 200 to 4,500 meters and is home to four large cats, the tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard in addition to lesser feline species like the golden cat and marbled cat. There are more than 350 species of birds including some rare species like Golliath Heron, Blyths Bza, Black Eagle, Peacock Pheasant, five species of Hornbills, Red Eared bay wood pecker in the Park. It also boasts of as many as 96 species of mammals belonging to 75 genera.

Besides wildlife safaris, the state also has a lot of potential for angling tours. The two rivers Kameng and Siang are the best bet for anglers to catch Masheer with guaranteed success. The other variety of Masheer found in these rivers is the chocolate masheer or the Jhunga. Besides Mahseer the other game fish of the river are the Boka (Katli), the Sal (Murral) and the sporting little Korang. Local trout and the dreaded Gorua (goonch) are also available. Fishing for them in narrow gorges and rocky river beds and above large rapids can be quite a bit of adventure by itself. The mountainous terrain also offers a plethora of trekking options and the fast flowing rivers are ideal for white water river rafting.

The state makes for a fabulous experience for those in search of a virgin Himalayan destination still untouched by modern day tourism and its (sometimes) unhealthy impact on local culture and environment, stated Abhik Dutta, director, The Wanderers Leisure Travels Pvt Ltd, one of the few companies specialising in Arunachal Pradesh. While tourism in the state is still in its infancy, it is definitely the sunrise industry. A lack of awareness and a general perception that it is an unsafe destination coupled with lack of infrastructure have been the main factors responsible for the slow progress of tourism in the state. However, Dutta claimed that Arunachal is the safest destination among the North-Eastern region and has been a very popular destination with foreign tourists. For the past four or five years, the state has also caught the imagination of the domestic tourist, especially those in search of a 'different' holiday.

According to Dutta, the most favoured sector of Indian families is the Bomdila- Tawang sector as it is easily approachable from Tezpur and can be combined with a tour of Nameri National Park and Kaziranga National Park in Assam. Further, on this route, one gets to see the Orchidarium at Tipi, cross the highest pass in this area (Sela Pass at 13,700 ft), meet the Monpa tribals and also get to see the 300-year-old Tawang monastery, the fountainhead of the Gellugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The beautiful drive further enhances the wilderness experience of travelling in the remote Eastern Himalayas as the road cuts across probably the best forest cover now extant in Arunachal Pradesh. This combination can be done in 11-12 days and the entire Arunachal sector covering the Tawang-Bomdilla sector, the tribal cum mountainous sector of Ziro, Daporijo, Along and Passighat with an extension to Namdhapa National Park can be done in 17-18 days ex-Tezpur or Guwahati ending at Dibrugarh, informed Dutta. There are basically four sections/routes open for eco, culture and tribal tours:

• The Tezpur-Bomdila-Tawang sector (minimum three days)
• The Namdapha National Park visit (minimum four days)
• Ziro-Daparizo-Along-Boleng-Pasighat (best for first visitor-tribal tour)
• Roing-Anini-Tezu sector

Some of the other interesting tours or circuits visitors can do:

• The 12-day tour-cum-trek of the Siang Valley, along the Tsangpo river (or the Brahmaputra as it enters Assam) in Pasighat district of Arunachal Pradesh, which covers visits to Adi tribes (Minyong, Pasi, Padam) of Arunachal Pradesh.
• The nine-day Talley Valley tour cum trek. Talley is a pine-clad plateau with dense forest of silver Fir trees at an altitude of 2400 meters. The trek covers visits to Apatani villages.
• Tour cum treks covering Monpa tribal villages in the Tawang sector and a tour cum trek with visits to Sherdukpen tribal villages at Jigoan and Shergoan; Monpa tribal villages and a high altitude sheep breeding farm and yak research centre and the beautiful Sangti valley and apple orchard at Dirang etc.
• A 12-day angling tour for the Mahseer, goonch, korang etc on the Kameng and Siang rivers.
• Ten-12 day tours of the Booriboot, Lossar festivals around February-March.
• Monastic tour of Arunachal Pradesh covering the Tawang sector.

Eco-Initiatives

The state government is still in the process of formulating its tourism policy and has drawn up a draft inviting all stakeholders for their comments and suggestions. While the state government has not spelt out a definite eco-tourism policy there are a few NGOs like Pragya, which have been working for the development of eco-tourism.

Pragya, working for the development of vulnerable communities and sensitive eco-systems of the world, has a project on community-based eco-tourism in Arunachal Pradesh for harnessing the benefits of tourism for the indigenous people in the district of West Kameng and Tawang through rural tourism enterprise. The project includes a survey of tourism assets, resources and community-based circuit design and tourism planning, establishment of community institutions for tourism management and capacity building. It would focus on development of guidelines and standards and tourism management training for tourism entrepreneurs in the communities; establishment of tourism facilities and development of select tourism assets and sites and their maintenance. Apart from this , there is development of promotional material and marketing channels, dissemination of information; establishment of community institutions for heritage conservation and integrated community development.

Pragya members in the districts of West Kameng and Tawang have carried out an in-depth field survey. The various tourism assets and their compatible activities and allied industries have been identified. Existing infrastructure and facilities have been mapped and gaps identified. Host communities and the environmental and cultural fabric have been assessed for their capacity.

The organisation has carried out a market survey and estimated potential demand. Circuits have been designed and tourism products (tourist activities, attractions and packages) are in the process of being developed.

Detailed plans for marketing and promotion and development of tourism infrastructure are also being prepared in collaboration with local tour operators. Pragya has also worked extensively in the area, building awareness among the local population, working with them in assessing the potential of the area and the communities for rural tourism enterprises and in developing plans for establishing the community based eco-tourism sector in these two districts.

By Achal Dhruva