Arunachal Geography Archives - Page 6 of 6 - Arunachal Pradesh PCS Free Notes

Arunachal Pradesh: Transport Network

The main mode of transport in Arunachal Pradesh is done through roads.

Roads:

Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (or APSTS) is the state-owned road transport corporation. APSTS is running daily bus servicess from Itanagar to most district headquarters including Tezpur, Guwahati in Assam and Shillong in Meghalaya as well as Dimapur in Nagaland. As of 2007, every village has been connected by road thanks to funding provided by the central government. Every small town has its own bus station and daily bus services are available. All places are connected to Assam, which has increased trading activity. An additional National Highway is being constructed following the Stillwell Ledo Road, which connects Ledo in Assam to Jairampur in Arunachal. Work on the ambitious 2,400 km two-lane Trans-Arunachal Highway Project announced by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 31 January 2008 on his maiden visit to the state, was scheduled to be completed by 2015–16 but now due to political and social reasons it may take another decade.

In 2014, two major highways were proposed to be built in the state: East-West Industrial Corridor Highway, Arunachal Pradesh in the lower foot hills of the state and 2,000-kilometre-long Mago-Thingbu to Vijaynagar Arunachal Pradesh Frontier Highway along the McMahon Line, alignment map of which can be seen here and here.

In the below table we can see the major National Highways network in Arunachal Pradesh:

National Highway Length in Arunachal Pradesh
Sl. No.	NH No.	Route	Length (Km.)
1.	52	From Assam border-Pasighat-Dambuk-Roing-Paya-Tezu-Wakro- Namsai- upto Assam Border	310
2.	52A	From Assam border-Itanagar- upto Assam border	42
3.	153	From Assam border-Myanmar border (Still Well road)	40
4.	229	The highways starting from Tawang passing through Bomdila, Nechipu, Seppa, Sagalee, Ziro, Daporijo, Aalong and terminating at Pasighat in the State of Arunachal Pradesh	1090
5.	52B Ext.	Namchik, Changlang, Khonsa and Kanubari in the State of Arunachal Pradesh and terminating near Dibrugarh in the State of Assam, joining with approaches to Bogibeel bridge	450
6.	37 Ext.	The NH No. 37 is extended from its dead near Saikhowaghat in Assam to join NH 52 near Roing in Arunachal Pradesh	60

Under the SARDP-NE roads covered for improvement is shown in the below map:

Fig: Arunachal Pradesh Road Network

Also, steep slopes and sharp gradient in water flow of Brahmaputra river, water transport is not feasible. Transport in Arunachal Pradesh is very difficult since, the state resides in the Himalayan range. A lot of steps have been taken by center and state government in developing the modes of transport.

Air :

Itanagar Airport, a Greenfield project serving Itanagar is being planned at Holongi at a cost of Rs. 6.50 billion.The existing state owned Daporijo Airport, Ziro Airport, Along Airport, Tezu Airport and Pasighat Airport are small and are not in operation. The government has proposed to operationalise these airports.Before the state was connected by roads, these airstrips were originally used for the transportation of food.

Railways:

Due to its rough terrain and difficult topography Railways are not much developed. Arunachal Pradesh got its first railway line in late 2013 with the opening of the new link line from Harmuti on the main Rangpara North-Murkongselak railway line to Naharlagun(Near to state capital Itanagar).

The construction of the 33 kilometre1,676 mmbroad gauge railway line was completed in 2012, and the link became operational after the gauge conversion of the main line under Project Unigauge. The state capital Itanagar was added to the Indian railway map on 12 April 2014 via the newly built 20 kilometreHarmuti-Naharlagun railway line, when a train from Dekargaon in Assam reached Naharlagun railway station, 10 kilometres from the centre of Itanagar, a total distance of 181 kilometres.On 20 February 2015 the first through train was run from New Delhi to Naharlagun, flagged off from the capital by the Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi. India plans to eventually extend the railway to Tawang, near the border with China.

Arunachal Pradesh Geographical Location

The state is located in the extreme Northeastern corner of the country. It is situated between latitude 26° 30′ N and 29° 30 ‘ N and longitude 91° 30′ E and 97° 30’ E. It shares its border with the neighboring countries of Bhutan in the West, China (Tibet) in the North and Northeast, Myanmar in the East and Southeast and the Indian states of Assam and Nagaland in the South. Arunachal Pradesh is generally a hilly region.

The elevation of the hills ranges from 60 meters to over 7300 meters (GORICHEN peak in West Kameng). The territory falls in the outer Himalayas and Patkoi Ranges. It is endowed with wide topographical variations, vegetations and wild life along the greater part of the length of the territory the characteristics Siwalik type formation of Himalayan Mountains is native.

The definition of Siwalik ranges loses its typical character at the point of the valley head and is replaced by series of low hills with easier slopes. These hills gradually merge into the Patkoi hill ranges which separate India & Burma. The general tendency of the hills is found sloping towards the plains of Assam. These hill ridges of Arunachal Pradesh are situated in a very haphazard manner.

As soon as one ridge ends, the other starts either in opposite direction or parallel. At these intervals the wide and narrow valleys come into existence. Because of these hill ridges and the valleys, the surface of Arunachal Pradesh is found variegated almost everywhere which also results into numerous geographical isolation of places caused by various rivers and streams traversing the region and depositing the flowing detritus enroute in valley and again at the foothills

Topography

Topography wise Arunachal Pradesh has been divided into 4 distinct physiographical divisions:

The Himalayan Ranges
The Mishmi Hills
The Naga-Patkoi Ranges and
The Brahmaputra Plains

Arunachal Pradesh is the eastern stretch of the Himalayas and all the 3 sections of the Himalayas are represented here . Every division has a different geology and tectonic history

From the Brahmaputra Plains at an average elevation of 100m, the Himalayas attain an elevation of 7089m. The Himalayas can be further sub-divided into physio-tectonic Zones:

(i) The sub-Himalayan zone rising abruptly from the Brahmaputra Plains along a tectonic plane-the Foot Hill Fault. It is about 10 -20 km wide but narrows down to 1 -2 km in the Dibang valley.

(ii) The lesser or Lower Himalayas: Elevation 2500-4000 m and 80-90 km wide. Take a syntaxial bend towards SE to abut against Mishmi Hills. Its southern limit is defined by the Main Boundary Fault/Thrust.

(iii) The Greater or Higher Himalayas. A zone of very high relief with heights greater than 6000m having precipitous slopes and deep gorges. This zone is generally devoid of vegetation. Its southern limits are defined by the Main Central Thrust.

(iv) Trans-Himalayan Tibetan or the Thethyan zone: It is the northernmost zone which is about 30-40 km wide and of low relief (Elevation 3000 – 6000m). All important Passes are located in this zone .

The Eastern Himalayas that cover 18,518 sq. km area of East and West Siang districts is almost wholly a rugged mountainous terrain extending over the central region of Arunachal Pradesh. The region has been described as ‘an intricate labyrinth of precipitous, rocky and high hills and mountains, with beautiful green valley’s drained by innumerable rivulets and mighty rivers cascading down from upper elevations. The tangle of hills and mountains throwing a series of spurs and towering to majestic heights of eternal snow is the most imposing topographic feature of Siang.

arunachal pradesh industries

Arunachal pradesh industries:- Arunachal Pradesh has several small and medium scale industries based on forest products. The industries include plywood, rice mills, fruit preservation units and handicrafts. The state has its own mineral development and trading corporation which looks after the fair transportation and exploration of various minerals. The Corporation also gives an industrial shape to its mineral products. The state has 12 industrial estates, established across districts. To support industrial growth, the State Government has also notified integrated infrastructure development centres, industrial growth centres and industrial areas.

Key Industries are Arts and Crafts, weaving, cane and bamboo, carpet weaving, wood carving, ornaments, tourism and horticulture.

Arts and Crafts

Arunachal Pradesh has a rich tradition of Bamboo and Cane Handicrafts and also Wood Carving and Carpet Weaving. The products reflect the rich and varied culture of the tribes inhabiting this enchanting State and the products featured are representative of the wide range of Handicrafts produced in the State.

Handloom forms an integral part of the culture and tradition, which is reflected in the State’s apparels. Some of these are unique Handloom products in artists weaving and design. Most of the Women folk of the state have been engaged in Handloom sector treated as primary occupation. A wide variety of crafts such as weaving painting, pottery, smithy work, basketry, woodcarving etc. are found among the people of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Department of Textile & Handicraft(s) has been set-up to develop this sector to uplift the economic condition as well as to provide self employment opportunity to the Weaver and artisan of the State through various Development Schemes/Projects.

Cane & Bamboo

The traditional Cane Bamboo product are mainly available in the Districts of East Kameng. Papumpare, Changlang, Upper and Lower Subansiri, East and West Siang, Lohit and Dibang Valley which represents high premium on design, quality, local technology and focus cultural indentity. The famous cane cap & head gear are available for different tribe of the State. While carrying Basket, Marketing Basket, varieties of design & utility product viz. Cane chair, Cane Table, Cane Racks, Cane Cradle, Cane Murrah , Designer Cane Tray etc. available in different marketing outlet in the State as well as out side the State.

Wood Carving

The unique, and artistic indigenous wood carving articles are available of Tirap, Upper & West Siang, Lohit and Tawang.

It is practiced by very limited artisans / craftsman of the above mentioned districts, both passed out trainees form the Deptt. Craft center as well as traditional artisans.The main raw-materials used are locally available wood.

Traditional Male and Female Wooden figure are depicted as main subject, warriors / head hunters are popular in Tirap District Wood Carving, originally such wood carvings were used to decorate “MORANG” (Youths Dormitory ) & modernized as decorative collection items where as different types of Wooden Musk and goddess figure are depicted as main subject considering the cultural & religious value, which are popular in the district of Upper and East Siang , Lohit & Tawang.

Being promoted through Govt. Craft Centres with provision for training. Passed out trainees are engaged as production worker in departmental promotional schemes.

Traditional Ornament Products

Beads ornaments of various types are found in all over Arunachal Pradesh . However weaving or decorating small beads ornament are predominatory found in Tirap District. The unique beads ornaments and grass necklece products are mainly available in Tirap & Changlang districts which signify higher cultural and Traditional value.

The Beads ornaments making practiced by women folk , the main raw-material used in “GRASS BEADS” of very higher quality normally imported from other country .

All type of ornaments viz. Necklace Wrist band, Waist band , Head gear, earring are made with beautiful geometrical pattern used both by male and female.

Being promoted through Govt. Craft Centres while provision for training and passed out trainees are engaged as production worker.

Carpet

The carpet making is one of the important occupation in the districts of Tawang, West Kameng, Changlang, Upper Siang. The women folk are engaged in this trade. The Arunachal Pradesh’s carpet has been acclaimed to be of National & International repute by considering the quality of carpet weaving in different motive and design. The items produced are wall hanging , cushion pad, telephone pad, floor covering etc. These are being promoted through Govt. Craft Centre with provision for training. Passed out trainees are engaged as production worker in the industry.

Handloom

Arunachal Pradesh can be called store House of Handloom designs as its 20 major tribes and more then 100 sub-tribes has got unique and appealing Handloom designs. The products are , Skirt (Gale), Shirt (Galuk) , cotton shawl, side bag, curtain cloth etc, in different pricing pattern according to the quality, traditional value, motive and design. arunachal pradesh industries

Tourism

Arunachal Pradesh has tremendous scope for development of various types of tourism activities, such as Cultural tourism, Adventure tourism, Historical tourism, Wildlife tourism, Nature based tourism and Eco-tourism. Any developmental programme tapping the latent tourism potential of the state, need to be based on sound understanding of the ground realities and the general of basic infrastructure development.

Inspite of vast tourism potential, Arunachal Pradesh so long remained unexplored to the outside world due to general backwardness of the area in terms of low road length, absence of rail links and airstrips, remoteness and inaccessibility of the area, lack of infrastructural development which holds the progress of development in check and the imposition of Restricted Area Perrmit (RAP)/Protected Area Permit (PAP) and Inner Line Permit (ILP) system.

Industrial Policy

The State Government will encourage the establishment of industrial undertakings in the private and cooperative sectors for the sustainable development of the state.
Employment opportunities and gainful self-employment in industrial and allied sectors for the local populations of Arunachal Pradesh will be given priority.

Investors from outside the state will be encouraged to invest in the state. Hundred percent equity ownership of an industrial unit by entrepreneurs will be allowed for a maximum period of 30 (thirty) years by the end of which period such equity holding will be reduced to 49 percent, the remaining 51 percent will be held by a local Arunachal Tribal entrepreneur or a group of local tribal entrepreneurs or the state government, if it considers necessary to do so.
Outside entrepreneurs may be allowed to hold land on lease for a period of 30 years, after which the lease may be renewed for a further period of 30 days. The consideration for the lease may be in the form of annual or lump sum payments or as equity. (The lease may be used as security for loans from financial institutions.)
Development of all industries will be encouraged. To begin with, the following industries will have priority.
Industries based on locally available raw materials.
Textiles (handlooms and power looms) and handicrafts.
Electronics and knowledge based industries.
Industries based on non- timber forest produce.
Infrastructure, such as power and communications.
Tourism
Medical services
Educational services

River of Arunachal Pradesh

River of Arunachal Pradesh

Drainage system of Arunachal Pradesh

Drainage forms a major physiographic element of a region. It refers to the pattern of rivers and streams which constitutes the surface run-off. Arunachal Pradesh has proved a natural home for the dense drainage system. A large number of long rivers with their numerous tributaries drain the region. Major rivers and their tributaries are interposed between defined mountain ridge.

In general major rivers form dendritic pattern. Brahmaputra River System forms the larger part of drainage system of Arunachal Pradesh. Major rivers have so much of dominant physiographic stay that most of the districts of Arunachal Pradesh have been named after the major rivers draining the particular area. Major River Systems are-

The Dibang River System

The Dibang River System drains the territorial confines of Dibang district. The drainage pattern of the Dibang River system resembles perfectly with elendric pattern. The almost North-South flowing Dibang receives a lot of tributaries from west and east.

West– Yangyapchu, Andra, Elan and Ahi

East- Dri, Tangan, Ithun etc.

Siang River of Arunachal Pradesh

River siang constitutes the part of river Brahmaputra. It provides entry of Tsanpo – the source flow line of Brahmaputra in Tibet having its origin at Tamchok Khambab chorten in the chemayungdung glacier. It enters the northern border of Arunachal Pradesh near namcha barwa mountain peak (7755 metres). It flows southward through the full length spa of old siang District.

Shimang, Yamne, Siku, Sibia, Ringong, Sigang, Nidyang and Siyum are the major tributaries of the river Siang. The river siang drains out ultimately into th river Brahmaputra in Assam. The river diahang, as the river siang is known by other name has a capacity of- flow discharge of about 200000 cubic metres of water.

The Subansiri River of Arunachal Pradesh

The identity of subansiri district is associated with the River Subansiri. The dendritic nature of drainage pattern is not so densely developed in case of the Subansiri river system as in case of Dihang and the Dibang. River Subansiri receives tributaries both from the north and south of the main Himalayan Range.

Tsari, chu, Yu Me Chu, Siken, Sinyum, Syee are important tributaries. The main river separates the Abor Hills from the Miri Hills. It is supposed to have a long course in the Himalayan and flows through a series of gorges and rapids. The Siyum forms the major course of the River Subansiri which joined by another important tributary the Karela in its lower reaches.

The Kameng River of Arunachal Pradesh

The Kameng River system drains the land of Kameng district in the western part of Arunachal Pradesh. Flowing from the north it is joined by the river bicham at Palazi where the main river descends down south ward after a westerly flow and follows again a course of westward flow to enter the plain of Assam with south-eastward bend to drain out into the Brahmaputra.

It discharge some 25900ncubic metres of water to the Brahmaputra. Bicham has major tributaries in Dakhri Bru Bishumchu and Diyang Nala. Yenga river is also an important tributary of Bicham.

The Naming River of Arunachal Pradesh

In the extreme northwest part of Arunachal Pradesh the river Tawang flows from northeast to southwest direction. In its lower reaches an another tributary Nyamjangchu joins it from the north. This river as also the Kameng has not developed so dense dendritic pattern of drainage as in case of River Siang and the Dibang in the eastern section of the Eastern Himalayan part of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Lohit River of Arunachal Pradesh

The River Lohit differs in its flow direction and location. This forms the part of the physiographic character of the Purvanchal. The river Lohit drains the area between Assam and Burma. It has a water discharge capacity of about 60,000 cubic metres. It joins the noa Dihing flowing through the northern section of tirap district and taking a northward turn to enter Lohit district near Jaipur in Assam plain to follow the main course of the Brahmaputra. Namdapha joins noa dihing from north. Namphuk River in Tirap district flows almost parallel to Noa Dihing or Diyum. Hetzu, Digaru, Tidding are important tributaries of the Lohit. In its middle and upper reaches the river Lohit is respectively known as Tellu and Krawnaan.

The Tirap River of Arunachal Pradesh

Having its origin in southwest border section of Tirap district the River Tirap flows northeast to meet Burhi Dihing in the Assam plain. Parallel to Tirap flows the course of the Namchik River.

The Tisa River of Arunachal Pradesh

In the western part of Tirap district the River Tisa forms a distinct river system. It originates in southern part and flows directly northward to join Disan river in the Assam plain. It has Tishing and Tawai as its major tributaries at western flanks.

Arunachal Pradesh-Mineral

The mineral wealth of the State is quite impressive with a large number of metallic and non metallic mineral occurrences. The mineral wealth includes limestone, dolomite, graphite, pyrite, lead, zinc, coal, oil & natural gas, etc. There are evidences of Gold extraction from the alluvium at the mouth of the SubansiriRiver.Distribution of mineral is explained below

Coal:

It occurs at two stratigraphic levels under different tectonic setting, one is Tertiary in age and the other is Gondwana. Unlike the Peninsular counterpart, the resources of coal in Arunachal are insignificant in the Gondwana Formations whereas sizeable resources occur in the Tertiary .

The bulk of the coal resources in Arunachal is located in the Namchik-Namphuk coalfield in Changlang district spread over an area of 35.5 km2, which is supposed to be the eastern extension of the adjacent Makum Coalfield.

Oil and Natural gas:

It is one of the most valuable resources and is available in Arunachal in Changlang district, particularly in Kumchai, Diyun and Kharsang area. Of these, the Kharsang Oilfield is supposed to be the continuation of the Digboi Oilfield. In addition, crude oil seepage is known since long in the fractured shale of Disang Formation near Nampong and in the Surma Group near Lungchong.

Dolomite:

Deposits of limestone/dolomite are found in different stratigraphic settings in different places, such as at Tidding in Lohit district; near Hunli in Dibang Valley district; near Pangin in East Siang district; and at Menga in Upper Subansiri district; and at Jamiri and Rupa in West Kamen district. The dolomite can be utilized as flux in steel industry, blast furnace, chemical industry and in agriculture. Similarly, the limestone can also be utilized in cement and chemical industries, and also could be used for lime burning and as chips in building material. It is worth mentioning here that a cement factory was started at Tezu in Lohit district to utilize the rich deposits of limestone at Tidding. This factory had a capacity of 30 tones/ day and started its commercial production in 1985, but it was closed down within a short period. A thorough investigation may indicate the reasons about the closure of the factory, which otherwise could generate a good revenue as the raw material is available in plenty.

Graphite:

It is associated with the mica schist and sericite quartzite and occurs in form of thin bands and lensoid bodies particularly in the rocks of Bomdila and Se La groups. About 50 m thick band of graphite is located near Did village on Zorum-Palin road and near Bopi on Tamen-Raga-Daporijo road in Lower Subansiri district. Other than these, some scanty deposits have also been observed associated with the chlorite schist near Abdullah Nala on Kimin-Ziro road, and a 70 m thick band of graphite schist containing flaky graphite has been located near Taliha in Upper Subansiri district

Lead and Zinc:

Some lead and zinc occurrences are reported from Shergaon area in West Kameng district. The reserves are yet to be estimated in the area, however, from the visual estimation and the analytical results a 20 m thick zone having 3-5% lead and zinc content has been inferred by the Geological Survey of India near Amritganga.

Ferro-Silicon Minerals:

The Ferro-silicon grade quartzite deposit is located in an area of about 25 km north of Kalaktang village of West Kameng district.

Clay

Small pockets of clay having moderate to good plasticity are associated with Siwalik sandstone, exposed in the foothill belt bordering the Brahmaputra Flood plain. A small reserve of 80,000 tones has been estimated in East Kamengdistrict.Though with the limited extent, the economic viability of the clay is to be ascertained, however, it may be suitable for use as pozzolamic material.

Other potential resources in Arunachal include mineral water and hot water sulphurous springs, which have been disseminated at number of places.

Quartzite :

Significant deposits of quartzite are also found at several stratigraphic horizons almost in all the main road sections of Arunachal. Of these significant exposures, which need attention for exploitation, are between Ziro-Tamen, Daporijo-Taliha, Dali-Basar, Bame-Along, Bame-Daporijo, Kaying-Tato, Pangin-Boleng, Roing-Myodia Pass, and Tezu-Tidding. Other than these, there are many other areas that need to be surveyed to locate the quartzite deposits of viable economic importance.

Granite/Granite Gneiss :

It is available in different stratigraphic levels in almost all the districts, except Changlang and Tirap. However, potential deposits viable for such purposes are exposed along Tenga-Bomdila, Dirang-Se La, around Tamen and Daporijo.

In addition, there a number of other economic minerals such as gold, cobalt, nickel, copper, magnetite-hematite (iron ore) and other platinoid group of metals, which are known to occur in the State. Although some scanty reports are available, it needs a thorough investigation for their economic viability.

Building material:

The State has plenty of the building material in form of marble, granite, volcanic rocks, such as gabbro, diorite, basalt, etc., quartzite, slate, etc. that may be utilized for making tiles and mosaic chips, which are in demand in modern urbanization. In addition, sand, concrete, boulders, etc., are also present, which are already being used and giving a good revenue to the State.

The State has sand, concrete, gravel, etc., in sufficient quantity. They are of ubiquitous nature and can be made use in local areas. The stone crushing industry may be another good opportunity of utilization of a vast quantity of boulders in the State. With the increase in the density of transportation, the road network is also going to be improved, as such concrete of uniform shape and size is required which can be obtained by crushing the boulders.