District Profile

Lower Dibang Valley District, the 15th District of Arunachal Pradesh is an immense treasure house of natural beauty, tribal culture, traditional arts and crafts and unique wildlife. The District has picturesque hills and mighty rivers like Dibang, Ithu, Diphu, Sisiri, Eze, Iphi etc. It is located in the eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh. The valley extends between the latitude 27° 30′ ‘N’ to 28° 33′ ‘N’ and Longitude between 95° 15′ ‘E’ to 96° 30′ ‘E’. The district is bounded on the North by Dibang Valley District and China, on the East: Lohit District and on the West: East Siang and Upper Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh and on the South : Sadiya Sub-Division of Tinsukia District, Assam state.

The District is having an area of 3,900 sq. kms and accounting for 4.65% of the total state land. It accommodates a population of 54080 persons, about 4% of the total state population. Its density of population is 14 persons per sq. km. As per 2011 Census it has 314 villages, 11600 households. There are 3 community development block viz. Roing – Koronu CD Block, Hunli – Desali CD Block and Dambuk – Paglam C.D. Block; 5 sub – divisions viz. Roing, Dambuk, Paglam, Parbuk and Hunli and 7 Administrative circles viz. Hunli, Desali, Dambuk, Paglam, Koronu, Parbuk and Roing.
Total population in the district as per 2011 census is 54080 persons out of whom 28,053 are male and 26,027 are female. The sex ratio is 928 females per thousand males for the district. The decennial growth rate of population 2001-2011 was recorded as 7.20% in the district.

The district rises from the Himalayan foothills to the middle ranges with the highest point of Mayudia at a height of 2655 meters from mean sea level. Snow-capped peaks, turbulent rivers, mystic valleys and abundance of rich flora & fauna are a few attraction of the district. The district is well known for its largest cover of thick green forest with almost 80% of the area being notified as reserved forest, wild life sanctuaries or unclassified state forests.

The topography of the district is mountainous. The northern part of it falls within higher mountain zone consisting of tangle peak and valley. The foot hills range lies in the southern part having plain hill with low altitudes. The area under Roing, Koronu, Parbuk, Dambuk and Paglam circles are plain land, whereas the area under Desali and Hunli circles and some parts of Roing, Koronu and Dambuk cirles are hilly terrain with rugged and steep slopes. Mayudia being developed as hilly resort is situated at a distance of 56 kms from Roing at a height of 8629 feet and present a panoramic view of the Valley of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries down below. It remains covered with snow during the winter.

The District has a sub-tropical climate. The district experiences very heavy rainfall from March to September. Total rainfall recorded at Roing is 5794.10 mm during 2021. The lower belt of the district experience hot climate in summer during the month of June, July and August. The northern belt of the district, i.e., Desali and Hunli circle, enjoy very moderate climate during summer and extreme cold during the winter.

The inhabitant of the district comprises mainly of two tribes namely –Mishmi (Idu) and Adi. The Mishmis inhabit in the upper, middle and lower belts of the district. The tribes of the district have their own dialect, custom and religion. The tribe has its own society and village council. Traditionally Mishmis believe in animism. They worship several benevolent
spirits. Masello Zinu/ Nani Intaya is being believed and worshiped as creators of mankind and universe as a whole. The major festivals of Mishmis are “Reh” and “Ke-mhe-ha”, celebrated on 1st February and 24th September respectively. The Mishmis are expert craftsmen and the women in particular are very good weavers. The Mishmi men are well apt in making beautiful handicraft items of Bamboo and Cane.

The Adi tribes are concentrated in lower part of Lower Dibang Valley District. Adis celebrate a number of festivals like Solung, Ettor and Aran etc. Solung is celebrated on 1st September every year, Aran is celebrated on 07th March and Ettor is celebrated on 15th May every year. The Adis believe and have faith on Sun and Moon God i.e. “Donyi – Polo”. The Adis have a well-organized system of village council called “Kebang”, where the elders settle the dispute judiciously. The Adi people are very good in handicrafts. They weave beautiful clothes.
Besides Mishmi and Adi, a few numbers of Mishing people exist in the district. They speak Mishing dialect and believe in traditional faith. Their main festival is “Ali – Aye – Ligang”. Apart from them Galos also exist in the district. Their main festival is “Mopin” which is celebrated with traditional gaiety in the first week of April.

The Talo(Dibang), Ithun, Ason, Chipu, Aba-Jowro, Iphi, Ihi(Sisiri), Datung, Emeh-Eze(Deopani) river systems nourish this area making it a lovely place.

The abundance of natural beauty, colorful and charming tribes, ancient archeological sites make the place a perfect destination for nature lovers, adventurous tourists, archeologists and anthropologist.