Ziro

Last updated

Ziro
Town
A cross section of luch green valley of Ziro.jpg
A cross-section of the lush green valley of Ziro
India Arunachal Pradesh location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ziro
Location in Arunachal Pradesh, India
India location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Ziro
Ziro (India)
Coordinates: 27°33′59″N93°49′53″E / 27.56639°N 93.83139°E / 27.56639; 93.83139
CountryFlag of India.svg  India
State Arunachal Pradesh
District Lower Subansiri
Population
 (2011)
 • Total12,806
Languages
 • Official English
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
Vehicle registration AR-06
Climate Cwa

Ziro is a town in and the district headquarters of the Lower Subansiri district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is included the Tentative List for UNESCO's World Heritage Site for the Apatani cultural landscape . [1] [2] [3] [4] The part of the town which is the centre of economic activities and where the administrative offices are located is called Hapoli, or locally known by the Apatanis as "Hao-Polyang".

Contents

Ziro is 115 km from the state capital, Itanagar, 112 km from North Lakhimpur in Assam and 96 km from Naharlagun railway station. Indian Air Force's ALG airstrip is at Ziro. [5] [6]

View of the Old Ziro settlement, with the runway of Ziro Airport visible on the left side Old Ziro.jpg
View of the Old Ziro settlement, with the runway of Ziro Airport visible on the left side

Geography

Ziro is the district headquarter of Lower Subansiri district and one of the oldest towns in Arunachal Pradesh. It is located at 27°38′N93°50′E / 27.63°N 93.83°E / 27.63; 93.83 [7] at an elevation of 1688  metres (5538  feet) to 2438  meters (8000  feet). Its cool weather in summer is its major attraction.

It is famous for its surrounding pine-clad gentle hills and its rice fields. Ziro is home to the Apatani tribe.

Transport

Road

Ziro is around 115 km from the state capital, Itanagar and takes approx. three and a half hours by road, via the improved Hoj-Potin road, along NH-229, and 150 km via the Assam route.

Rail

The nearest railway station from Ziro is located at Naharlagun, near the Arunachal-Assam border, which is around 100 km from Ziro.

Air

The nearest airport to Ziro is Ziro Airport, which is an Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) of the Indian Air Force, [5] [6] and along with it, flights are operated by Alliance Air. [8] It is located in the main town of old Ziro. Other main and major airports lying in proximity to Ziro are North Lakhimpur in Assam (116 km) and Itanagar (133 km).

Climate

The climatic condition of the district varies from place to place as well as season to season. Its climate is largely influenced by the nature of terrain depending upon altitude and location of the place. It could be broadly be divided into four seasons in a year:

  1. The cold weather season is from December to February
  2. March to May is the pre-monsoon season of thunderstorms
  3. The southwest monsoon from June to about the middle of October
  4. The second half of October to November, which constitutes the post-monsoon or the retreating monsoon period and is a period of transition

In the foothills or low high belt area of the district, the climatic condition is moderate in comparison to high belt areas, where during winter it is very cold and chilly, and in summer is pleasant. December and January are generally the coldest months, and July and August are warmest months.

Annual rainfall in the south is heavier than that in the northern areas of the district. During the monsoon period, more than 70 percent of the rain over the southern half occurs while in the northern portions it is about 60 percent. Variability of rainfall for the monsoon and the year, as a whole, are relatively small. Average annual rainfall of the district headquarters, Ziro recorded as 934.88 cm during 2000.

The relative humidity is always high throughout the year except in the winter months being slightly less humid. In the cold season, the sky is obscured on many mornings due to lifted fog which clears with the advance of the day generally, moderately clouded in the period of March to May, heavily clouded to overcast in the monsoon season and clear or slightly clouded during the post-monsoon season. Winds are generally light strong katabatic winds down the valleys are experienced as the local effect produced by the nature of the terrain.

Climate data for Ziro
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)21.5
(70.7)		19.7
(67.5)		26.2
(79.2)		28.3
(82.9)		30.3
(86.5)		33.4
(92.1)		31.9
(89.4)		32.3
(90.1)		32.3
(90.1)		30.2
(86.4)		28.9
(84.0)		25.2
(77.4)		33.4
(92.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)12.9
(55.2)		13.2
(55.8)		16.8
(62.2)		19.1
(66.4)		21.0
(69.8)		23.3
(73.9)		25.0
(77.0)		25.1
(77.2)		24.0
(75.2)		23.4
(74.1)		18.3
(64.9)		15.8
(60.4)		19.8
(67.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)−0.2
(31.6)		2.3
(36.1)		4.7
(40.5)		8.3
(46.9)		12.4
(54.3)		14.7
(58.5)		15.8
(60.4)		15.1
(59.2)		13.7
(56.7)		10.1
(50.2)		4.4
(39.9)		0.4
(32.7)		8.5
(47.3)
Record low °C (°F)−6.7
(19.9)		−3.0
(26.6)		−0.4
(31.3)		1.4
(34.5)		3.4
(38.1)		7.6
(45.7)		9.2
(48.6)		10.2
(50.4)		9.0
(48.2)		2.0
(35.6)		−4.2
(24.4)		−5.7
(21.7)		−6.7
(19.9)
Average rainfall mm (inches)88.7
(3.49)		106.1
(4.18)		78.6
(3.09)		169.0
(6.65)		199.5
(7.85)		292.5
(11.52)		249.0
(9.80)		232.4
(9.15)		199.9
(7.87)		64.1
(2.52)		51.2
(2.02)		13.6
(0.54)		1,744.3
(68.67)
Average rainy days (≥ 2.5 mm)5.27.36.810.813.115.714.514.612.84.83.41.5110.5
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST)75767879757776777781797577
Source: India Meteorological Department [9]

Demography

As of 2011 India census, [10] Ziro had a population of 12,806. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. In Ziro, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Languages

Languages spoken in Ziro (2011) [11]

   Apatani (63.00%)
   Bengali (8.62%)
   Assamese (5.87%)
   Nepali (5.82%)
   Bhojpuri (5.68%)
   Hindi (3.08%)
  Others (13.75%)

According to the 2011 census, Apatani was the most spoken language in Ziro with 10,867 speakers followed by Bengali at 1,104, Assamese at 752, Nepali at 746, Bhojpuri at 728 and Hindi at 395.

Culture

Apatani tribal women in Hija Village, Ziro. Apatani tribal women.jpg
Apatani tribal women in Hija Village, Ziro.

Apatani culture

The Apatanis have few unique special characteristic features which differ from other tribes in Arunachal Pradesh and India. Few of these special characteristic features are:

(A) Apatanis practice permanent wet paddy cultivation whereas other tribes practice shifting cultivation called Jhom cultivation. (B) Apatanis cultivate permanent wet land cultivations whereas other tribes practice dry land cultivations by clearing the forests by burning the jungles. (C) Apatanis once practiced the art of facial tattoos.

UNESCO world heritage cultural sites

Ziro is known for a four-season tourist place and gives a pleasant feel in every season with variant colors in different seasons. Ziro valley - a possible world heritage site.jpg
Ziro is known for a four-season tourist place and gives a pleasant feel in every season with variant colors in different seasons.

Apatani cultural landscape in Ziro Valley in Lower Subansiri district and Thembang Dzong in West Kameng district have been included in the Tentative List for UNESCO's World Heritage Site. The Arunachal Pradesh government has undertaken conservation works at these sites with the aim of ensuring inclusion of these sites in UNESCO's final list. [1] Apatani cultural landscape comprises 32 sq km2 cultivable areas out of 1058 km2 plateau. [2] Apatani tribe, which has inhabited this region for centuries, is known for practicing ecologically sustainable existential sustenance. [3] Thembang Dzong is a 3.2 acres fortified village of Monpa tribe. [1]

Education

St Claret College, Ziro St Claret College Ziro.JPG
St Claret College, Ziro

Ziro has one university and one undergraduate arts college namely Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University and Saint Claret College respectively. As of the 2001 census, Ziro had an average literacy rate of 66%, lower than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy was 72%, and female literacy was 60%. The older generation hadn't been exposed to formal education, but with the rapid pace of education of younger generations, the education scenario of Ziro grew tremendously and is poised to grow further.

Urban populace of Lower Subansiri district mainly reside in Ziro and as per 2011 census, [12] average urban literacy rate in Lower Subansiri district is 85.52% of which males and females are 89.81% and 81.26% literates respectively. It is worth noting that, as per the 2011 census, 84.58% population of Lower Subansiri districts lives in rural areas of villages. The literacy rate in rural areas of Lower Subansiri district is 72.27%. Still, the combined literacy rate is 74.35%, which is second in Arunachal Pradesh, next only to Papumpare District where the capital city of Itanagar is located.

Notable People

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arunachal Pradesh</span> State in northeast India

Arunachal Pradesh is a state in northeast India. It was formed from the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) region, and India declared it as a state on 20 February 1987. Itanagar is its capital and largest town. It borders the Indian states of Assam and Nagaland to the south. It shares international borders with Bhutan in the west, Myanmar in the east, and a disputed 1,129 km border with China's Tibet Autonomous Region in the north at the McMahon Line. Arunachal Pradesh is claimed in its entirety by China as South Tibet as part of the Tibet Autonomous Region; China occupied some regions of Arunachal Pradesh in 1962 but later withdrew its forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Itanagar</span> Capital City in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Itanagar is the capital and largest town of the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The seat of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the seat of government of Arunachal Pradesh, and the seat of Gauhati High Court permanent bench at Naharlagun are all in Itanagar. Being the hub of all the major economic bases, Itanagar and the adjacent town of Naharlagun comprise the administrative region of the Itanagar Capital Complex Region. This stretches from the Itanagar Municipal limit at Chandranagar Town extended until Nirjuli Town, and is a major junction of cultural, economic, fashion, education and recreational activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Apatani people</span> Ethnic group living in Northeast India

The Apatani people are an ethnic group who live in the Ziro valley of Arunachal Pradesh's Lower Subansiri region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lower Subansiri district</span> District in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Lower Subansiri district (Pron:/su:bənˈsɪɹi/) is one of the 25 administrative districts of the state of Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India.

Seppa is the headquarter of the East Kameng district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. Sepla means 'marshy' land in the local dialect. It lies on the bank of Kameng River with a helipad located in the heart of the town. It is located 160 kilometres (99 mi) from Itanagar and 213 kilometres (132 mi) from Tezpur (Assam) connected by motorable road. The village of Seppa has two out of the sixty Vidhan Sabha Constituencies of Arunachal Pradesh. They are Seppa East and Seppa West.

Daporijo is a census town in the Upper Subansiri district, Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh in the Northeast of India.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yingkiong</span> Town in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Yingkiong is a town in and the administrative headquarters of Upper Siang district in the Northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is located 250 kilometres (160 mi) north of Itanagar, the capital of the state, and 1 kilometre east of the River Siang. According to the 2011 Census, the town has a total population of 8,573.

The Tani language, often referred to as Tani languages, encompasses a group of closely related languages spoken by the Tani people in the northeastern region of India, primarily in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These languages belong to the Sino-Tibetan family and include several major dialects such as Nyishi, Galo, Apatani, Adi, Tagin, and Mising.

Naharlagun is a town situated in the foothills of the Himalayas in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It falls in and is administered as a part of Itanagar Capital Complex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Papum Pare district</span> District of Arunachal Pradesh in India

Papum Pare district is an administrative district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India. As of 2011, it is the most populous district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Nirjuli is a town in the Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. It is 19 km (12 mi) away from Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, and it takes about 40–45 minutes by road from Nirjuli to Itanagar. The National Highway 52A is a highway that runs through the town and provides the primary platform for easy transportation and access within the town and to the outside world as well. The Par River, the only river flowing by the town which adds to its exquisite beauty, and ultimately flows into the Brahmaputra River.

Apatani is a Tani language, a branch of the Sino-Tibetan languages, spoken in India.

Koloriang is a hilly district headquarters town of Kurung Kumey district in Arunachal Pradesh, India, bordering Tibet. It has an altitude of 1,000 metres (3,300 ft), is surrounded by high mountains and is located in the left bank of river Kurung, one of the major tributaries of Subansiri river. The climate is rainy and hot during summer and very cold in winter. Located at an altitude of 1,040 metres above sea level, this town is also an old administrative centre. It is about 257 km from state capital, Itanagar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palin, Arunachal Pradesh</span> City in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Palin is a hill station and the headquarter of Kra Daadi district in Arunachal Pradesh. It is inhabited by Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh and has a population of 5816 according to the 2001 census. The incumbent MLA from Palin constituency is Balo Raja.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Palin</span> Town in Arunachal Pradesh, India

New Palin is a town in the Kra Daadi district of Arunachal Pradesh and camp office of the district Administration of Kra Daadi district. Inhabited by Nyishi tribe, it is the largest town of the Kra Daadi District. It is located at Latitude 28.15285, Longitude 94.12288. It has a population of 9896 as per 2011 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geography of Arunachal Pradesh</span>

Arunachal Pradesh is primarily a hilly tract nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas in northeast India. It is spread over an area of 83,743 km2 (32,333 sq mi). 98% of the geographical area is land out of which 80% is forest cover; 2% is water. River systems in the region, including those from the higher Himalayas and Patkoi and Arakan Ranges, eventually drain into the Brahmaputra River.

Ziro Festival of Music is an outdoor music festival held in the Ziro valley in the northeast Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It showcases the independent music scene in India. The festival was founded in 2012 by Bobby Hano and Menwhopause guitarist Anup Kutty, and has featured artists like Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley, Damo Suzuki, Shye Ben Tzur, MONO, Divine, Acid Mothers Temple, Louw Majaw, Shaa'ir n Func, Indus Creed, Mohit Chauhan, Lucky Ali, Peter Cat Recording Co, Menwhopause, Guru Rewben Mashangva, and Barmer Boys among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Outline of Arunachal Pradesh</span> State in NE India

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to Arunachal Pradesh:

Raga is a Tehsil in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is part of Kamle district. The MLA of Raga constituency is Tarin Dapke.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Arunachal Pradesh Seeks UNESCO World Heritage Tag For Two Sites, NDTV, 9 Fb 2018.
  2. 1 2 Apatani cultural landscape, UNESCO tentative list, UNESCO, site submitted to UNESCO on 15 April 2014. Accessed: 14 November 2020.
  3. 1 2 Das, Gaurav (21 July 2018). "Heritage cloud on land of the dawn-lit mountains". Telegraph India. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  4. ↑ "Arunachal's Ziro Valley, Talley Valley for UNESCO Word Heritage Site | Northeast Today". Archived from the original on 18 December 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2012.
  5. 1 2 Karmakar, Rahul (18 September 2019). "New IAF 'airport' in Arunachal provides an alternative to walking 157 km". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  6. 1 2 Sharma, Kushal Dev (19 June 2020). "How India defends its border with China". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  7. ↑ "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Ziro, India". Falling Rain. 12 December 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  8. ↑ "Arunachal: Pema Khandu flags off commercial passenger flight to Ziro". Arunachal24.in. 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  9. ↑ "Climate of North Eastern States" (PDF). Climatological Summaries of States Series - No. 19. India Meteorological Department. December 2013. pp. 264–269. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  10. ↑ "Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  11. ↑ "C-16: Population by mother tongue, Arunachal Pradesh - 2011". Census Digital Library: Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2011.
  12. ↑ "Arunachal Pradesh Population Sex Ratio in Arunachal Pradesh Literacy rate data 2011-2021".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.