Daporijo is a census town located in the Upper Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh on the right bank of the Subansiri River. The word "Dapo" means "protection" or "barrier" against any kind of evil spirits; and "Rijo" means "valley". The town, surrounded by greeneries, is the headquarters of Upper Subansiri District. Languages spoken here are Tagin, Hill Miri, Adi (Gallong), Hindi, Assamese and English. This town is popular among tourists for trekking and angling on river Subansiri. Daporijo Town is located at an elevation of 600 meters above mean sea level.
Demography of Daporijo
According to the 2001 India census, Daporijo had a population of 15,468. Males are 52 percent of the population and females are 48 percent. The town has an average literacy rate of 59 percent; male literacy is 66 percent and female literacy rate is 51 percent. 19 percent of the population is under 6 years of age.
Tourism in Daporijo
Daporijo has several popular tourist spots like Sigem Daporijo Reserve Forest, Kamala Reserve Forest, Daporijo Museum and Craft Center etc. The tourism of the town also includes several festivals like Si-Donyi Festival, Mopin, Bori Yullo, Nyokum Festival etc. Nearby attractions of Daporijo are Menga Mandir, Sippi, etc:
Kamala Reserve Forest: This reserve is one of the most popular wildlife reserves in Arunachal Pradesh. It is inhabited by wild flora and fauna. Kamala reserve forest is an interesting tourist place and also a favorite spot for bird lovers.
Daporijo Museum and Craft Center: Daporijo Museum and Craft Center is an ancient museum of the town exhibiting the local tribal art and hand crafts collections. It also houses the historical belongings of the tribal people. The collections of this museum include headgears, weapons, tribal costumes, bamboo and crane art works etc.
Sigem Daporijo Reserve Forest: Sigem Daporijo Reserve Forest is situated in the rain forest range, which houses a wide range of flora and fauna. It is the abode of Bahera, Simul, Nahar, Borpat, Amari, tita sopa Gonsorai and others species of flora. Some semi evergreen trees are also found here like Sam, maj, Udal, and Sirisa etc. Bird species of the reserve forsest are Owls, Partridges, Peacock Pheasant, Tragopan, Water hen, Night Jar, Thrushes, Barbets, Woodpeckers, Babblers, Bluejoy of Rollar, Lapwing, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Ashy Wood Pigeon, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Parakeets, Kingfishers, Great Indian pied hornbill, Wreathed Hornbill, and Orioles etc.
Visiting Information to Daporijo
The best time to visit the town is from October to April. Nearest airport is at Lilabari. Nearest railway stations would be North Lakhimpur and Silapathar. One can reach Daporijo by bus from Itanagar (327 km) via Ziro (160 km) and from Likabali via Bazaar. National Highway 27 connects this place to other parts of India.