West Kameng (pronounced ˈkæmɛŋ) is a district of Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India. It accounts for 8.86% of the total area of the state. The name is derived from the Kameng river, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, that flows through the district.
History
The area around the Kameng river has traditionally come under the control of the Mon kingdom, Bhutan, Tibet and the Ahom kingdom. Tibetan Buddhism got a strong foothold among the tribal groups as early as in the 7th century, where the Kachen Lama constructed the Lhagyala Gompa in Morshing.
Whenever loose control was exerted over the area, small, feudal chiefdoms ruled by the Miji and the Aka chiefs dominated control over the area. This can be evidenced in the fact that ruined fortresses like those in Bhalukpong constructed in the 10th to 12th century and the Dirang fort, which was constructed in the 17th century to defend against invasions from neighbouring chiefdoms.
Upon the arrival of the British, the entire area became what was known as the North-East Frontier Agency. It was renamed as the Balipara Frontier tract in 1919, with its headquarters at Charduar in Assam. In 1946, the district area was carved out of the Balipara, with the name Sela Sub-Agency and its headquarters continued to be Charduar of Assam.
Following the independence of India, the Sela Sub-Agency was renamed as the Kameng Frontier Division. Its headquarters were later transferred to Bomdila in 1954. However, with the invasion of Tibet in 1950, Tibetan refugees started populating the area. Furthermore, with the invasion of the Chinese troops into this area, many historical monuments were either destroyed or defaced.
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 1 June 1980.[2]Tawang district, which initially belonged to part of the district, was separated on 6 October 1984.[2]
Geography
West Kameng district occupies an area of 7,442 square kilometres (2,873 sq mi),[3] comparatively equivalent to Papua New Guinea's New Ireland.[4] It lies approximately between 91° 30' to 92° 40' East longitudes and 26° 54' to 28° 01' North latitudes. The district shares an international border with Tibet in the north, Bhutan in the west, Tawang District in the northwest, and East Kameng district in the east. The southern border is shared with Sonitpur district and Udalguri district of Assam. The Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary is located in West Kameng.
The scenic beauty of Bhalukpong in West Kameng district
Topography
The topography is mostly mountainous. Much of the West Kameng area is covered with the Himalayas. The highest peak in the district and state is Kangte.
Climate
Like East Kameng, the West Kameng district experiences an arid tundra or a cool temperate climate in the north. Snow fall occurs from mid-November to February. Snow can be also seen in Khupi, Bomdila, Sela. Sela range is the highest place in the district, situated at 13,714 feet above sea level.
Like most of Arunachal Pradesh, Jhum, or shifting cultivation, is practised among the tribes who live in lower elevations where there is a temperate or subtropical climate. Horticulture is practised as well.
Small industries such as textile and handicraft factories can be found.
Divisions
The district is divided into three subdivisions, Thrizino, Rupa and Bomdila, which are further divided into twelve administrative circles, namely, Dirang, Bomdila, Kalaktang, Balemu, Bhalukpong, Jameri, Singchung, Nafra, Thrizino, Rupa, Thembang and Shergaon. The four development blocks in this district are Dirang, Kalaktang, Nafra-Buragaon, and Thrizino.
West Kameng comprises five major tribes: Monpa (which includes Dirang, Bhut, Lish, and Kalaktang Monpa), Miji (Sajolang), Sherdukpen, Aka (Hrusso), and Bugun (Khowa). Minority tribes include Takpa, Lishipa, Chugpa, and Butpa. All of these indigenous communities use Hindi to communicate with each other.
Most of the inhabitants are Buddhist, though the Aka, Bugun (Khowa), and Miji have indigenous religions and those tribe members follow a mix of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Donyi-Polo (a form of Animism).
In 1989 West Kameng district became home to the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, which has an area of 217 km2 (83.8 sq mi).[16] It is also home to the Sessa Orchid Wildlife Sanctuary, which was established in 1989 and has an area of 100 km2 (38.6 sq mi).[16]
^US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011. Antigua and Barbuda 87,884 July 2011 est.
