East Kameng district is one of districts of Arunachal Pradesh state in northeastern, India. It shares an international border with China in the north and district borders with West Kameng district to the west, Pakke-Kessang district to the south, Kurung Kumey district to the east, Papum Pare district to southeast. Pakke-Kessang district was bifurcated from East Kameng district on 1 December 2018.
History
The area around the Kameng river has at various times come under the control and influence of the Mon kingdom, Tibet, and the Ahom kingdom. Aka and Nishi chiefs would exert control over the area whenever no major political powers dominated the area.
The Kameng Frontier Division was renamed as the Kameng District. The Political Officer was also redesignated as the Deputy Commissioner of Kameng. However, for political reasons, the Kameng district was bifurcated between East Kameng and West Kameng on 1 June 1980.
Geography
Before the bifurcation, East Kameng district occupied an area of 4,134 square kilometres (1,596 sq mi), comparatively equivalent to Alaska’s Unimak Island. Like West Kameng, the East Kameng climate ranges from arid in the tundra of the north through a cool temperate climate to a humid subtropical climate in the southern sub-himalayan hills bordering Assam.
Transport
The 2,000-kilometre-long (1,200 mi) proposed Mago-Thingbu to Vijaynagar Arunachal Pradesh Frontier Highway along the McMahon Line, (will intersect with the proposed East-West Industrial Corridor Highway) and will pass through this district, alignment map of which can be seen here and here.
Economy
Jhum fire
Most tribes practice a form of slash and burn agriculture known as Jhum. After clearing the land, crops like barley and rice are planted, and fruit trees are planted to make orchards. Fishing activities first started between 1965–66 and gained momentum in November 1980, when the Fishery Department first started functioning independently. As of today, the Fishery development activities are headed by a District Fishery Development Officer, who was originally the Superintendent of Fisheries. However, this department was understaffed. Funds were also given for rural agriculture and paddy-cum-fish culture activities.
With the advancement of modern technology, horticulture based on apples and oranges is becoming increasingly popular. Today, temperate and sub-tropical fruits are planted in orchards with chemical fertilizers.
Divisions
The district’s administrative circles are, namely, Chayangtajo, Sawa, Khenewa, Bameng, Lada, Gyawe Purang, Pipu, Seppa, Richukhrong.
There are 5 Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly constituencies located in this district: Bameng, Chayangtajo, Seppa East, and Seppa West. All of these are part of Arunachal West Lok Sabha constituency.
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 28,234 | — |
| 1971 | 35,134 | +2.21% |
| 1981 | 42,736 | +1.98% |
| 1991 | 50,395 | +1.66% |
| 2001 | 57,179 | +1.27% |
| 2011 | 78,690 | +3.24% |
| source: | ||
Population
Nyishi People