West Siang District is an administrative district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
History of West Siang District
In the year 1989, the territory was given from West Siang District to the East Siang district. Since the year 1999, this territory has been in the new Upper Siang district. The archaeological finds from Malinithan site in West Siang District proved that this district was the dwelling place for the ancient people. These archaeological remaining are displayed at the Jawaharlal Nehru Museum of Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh.
Location of West Siang District
West Siang District has the headquarters located at Aalo or Along. West Siang district occupies an area of 8,325 square kilometres. There lies the 2,000-kilometre-long Mago-Thingbu to Vijaynagar Arunachal Pradesh Frontier Highway along the McMahon Line, which intersect with the East-West Industrial Corridor Highway. This road line is passed through West Siang District.
Administration of West Siang District
There are seven Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly constituencies in West Siang District. Some of the constituencies in West Siang District are Liromoba, Likabali, Basar, Along West, Along East, Rumgon, and Mechuka. The first six are part of Arunachal West Lok Sabha constituency, while Mechuka is part of Arunachal East Lok Sabha constituency.
Demography of West Siang District
According to the Population Census in the year 2011, West Siang district has a population of 112,272, which is roughly equal to the nation of Grenada. This gives it a ranking of 612th in India. The district has a population density of 13 inhabitants per square kilometre. The population growth rate of West Siang District over the decade 2001-2011 was 8.04 percent. West Siang District has a sex ratio of 916 females for every 1000 males. The literacy rate of West Siang District is 67.62 percent.
Culture of West Siang District
West Siang District consists of numerous cultural communities. There are various tribal groups of the Adi people, Memba and Khamba tribes living in the district. The Adi generally follow Donyi-Polo, although some have embraced Baptist Christianity in recent years. The Memba and Khamba are followers of Tibetan Buddhism. A well-known Tibetan Buddhist temple, Mechuka Gompa, is located in the western part of the Memba-speaking Mechuka district of West Siang.
Tourism in West Siang District
Tourism in West Siang District consists of numerous tourist destinations. West Siang District is rich in wildlife. The rare mammals such as Mishmi takin, Snow leopard, Red panda and Musk deer occurs while among birds there is the rare Blyth`s Tragopan. A flying squirrel, new to science has been recently discovered from this district. It has been named as Mechuka Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista mechukaensis. In the year 1991, West Siang district became the abode to the Kane Wildlife Sanctuary. Kane Wildlife Sanctuary has an area of 55 square kilometres.