The Land of Dawnlit Mountains

Arunachal Pradesh

About Arunachal Pradesh

Early riser, Arunachal, the land of the rising sun, is the remotest and most scantily populated state in the entire North East. Yet, it is also one of loveliest regions. All this has added to the allure of this mysterious land.

Its very isolation has been a blessing in many ways, having protected Arunachal from the ills of overdevelopment and consequent problems. And it is for this very reason that Arunachal, with its capital Itanagar, is such a unique holiday destination. Its haunting beauty has a magical charm that lures the visitor to imbibe of its natural wonders, tribal culture, craft traditions and splendid wildlife.

Largest of all the North Eastern states (83,743 km2) Arunachal is blessed with a delightfully variegated climate, perfect for holidays any time of the year. Almost 82 percent of the state is under forest cover, which varies from the sub-tropical to the alpine in the upper regions of the northwest, where it is bordered by the Himalayan ranges. This vast canopy of rainforest with its dynamic blend of flora and fauna is one of the world's 17 bio-diversity heritage sites. It is the only state that can claim to have four major varieties of big cats in its jungles, those being the tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard.

Then there are the lesser feline species like the golden cat and marbled cat. More than 500 species of birds have been recorded, many of which are highly endangered and restricted to the state, such as the white-winged duck, Sclater's monal and Bengal florican. Besides, it is home to seven species of primates - the Hoolock gibbon, slow loris, Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque, pig-tailed macaque, stump-tailed macaque and capped langur - and three species of antelopes amongst them the takin which is found in Arunachal Pradesh alone. The majestic ox-like mithun which is of deep religious significance and socio-cultural importance is indigenous to the state. Arunachal's serried peaks, running from north to south, are interspersed with rich valleys in whose hidden folds live her ancient tribes in their picturesque villages.

The first to be kissed by the morning sun, Arunachal is all set to blaze ahead on the tourist trail. At the top of North-Eastern Region (NER) of India lies Arunachal Pradesh located between 26030’ north and 29030’ north Latitude and 91030’ east and 97030’ east Longitude. With an area of 83,743 sq. km, it is the largest state among North Eastern states of India. Arunachal Pradesh is surrounded by Myanmar in the east, Bhutan in the west, China on the north and the state of Assam in the south. The population density is 17 persons per sq.km which is thinnest population density in the country. There are 26 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes in the state. Each tribe has its own belief system & has rich cultural heritage ranging from dresses, dances, festivals and foods. Besides a rich cultural canvas this tribal state offers religious places like more than 400 years old Golden Namgyal Lhatse (Tawang Monastery), Parasuramkund etc. The state finds mention in the literature of Kalika Purana and Mahabharata. Places like Malinithan and Itanagar have important archaeological value. Arunachal Pradesh has beautiful lakes like Gyakar Sinyi (Ganga Lake), Lake Paradise (Sela Lake), Lake Sange Tser (Madhuri Lake) etc.The state is rich in species of flora and fauna, and has a number of wild life sanctuaries, national parks and reserves. Arunachal Pradesh provides abundant scope for angling, boating, rafting, trekking, hiking etc. Arunachal Pradesh offers a complete package for tourism Arunachal Pradesh has the potential of becoming a very important cultural tourist destination of India. Arunachal Pradesh was adjudged as the 4th Best Region by Lonely Planet, BBC’s globally circulated magazine in 2012. The state was also voted as the ‘Favourite Upcoming Destination’ by Outlook Traveller readers, based on a survey conducted in 2012 by IPSOS poll of readers through the magazine and its website in January 2013. President of India conferred National Tourism Award 2011-12 in recognition of excellence and salutation of the nation to institutions and individuals, including Arunachal Pradesh tourism department on 18th March 2013 for taking ‘Incredible India’ to newer heights