Rivers & Natural population Regions
In distribution of population, Arunachal Pradesh can be divided into six natural regions. The first two regions are the Western parts of Kameng District and Tirap District where there are comparatively large concentration of population. The upper, the middle and the lower belts of the remaining parts of Arunachal Pradesh constitute other three distinct regions. The concentrated population pockets on the foot hills constitute the sixth region.

The terrain mostly consists of submontane and mountainous ranges with the Himalayan range along the northern borders criss- crossed with ranges running north-south. The rivers have created broad valleys in these areas. Due to the heavy rains, the forests are luxuriant in growth and large game inhabit them. Population is scanty.

The Brahmaputra, India's major river enters Arunachal Pradesh from Tibet and flows into Assam from where it goes down to Bangladesh before falling into the Bay of Bengal. The state gets as much as five hundred centimeters of rain fall and this accounts for the large number of rivers and lakes in the region apart from extensive forests. The rivers Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Lohit and Tirap have divided the plains of Assam into valleys.

In 1826, the British exercised their control in Assam after the treaty of Yandaboo concluded on 24th February 1826. Before 1962, Arunachal was popularly called North Eastern Frontier Agency and was constitutionally a part of Assam. It was administered by the Ministry of External Affairs until 1965 and subsequently by the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Governor of Assam. In 1972, it was constituted as a Union Territory and renamed Arunachal Pradesh. On 20th February in 1987, it became the 24th state of the Indian Union.

Arunachal Pradesh is inhabited by people of tribal origin. These groups had distinct culture. In the16th century the Ahom Kings influenced the region. The population were of Tibeto-Burmese linguistic origin. The tribe consisted of the Daflas, Bangnis, the Monpas and they were influenced by Buddhist ideals. The Miri along with the Daflas and Tagin lived in the hills. The Apatanis were believed to be more advanced. They were agriculturists. Besides this the Abor who called themselves as Adi lived in the valley of Arunachal Pradesh. Besides them the Membas, Ramos and Boris formed minor groups. The Mishmis exists as Idus, Taraons, and Kamans. They excelled in handicrafts. Today tourism forms an important source of revenue for the state economy.

The People
The sparse population of Arunachal is predominantly tribal in character and there are about 20 - 26 major tribes which are divided into a number of sub tribes. The principal tribes are Adis, Nishi, Apatani, Tagin, Mismi, Khampti, Noite, Wancho, Tangsha, Singpho, Monpa, Sherdukpen and Aka. These tribes speak their own tongues. The major social and cultural events of the state are very much associated with the tribal life.

Adis
The Adis are the major group of tribes inhabiting the West Siang district. The different sub tribes groups of the Adis are Gallong, Janbe, Karka, Memba, Ashing, Bori, Bogum, Bagi, Pailibo, Minyong etc. Monship and Rashbeng, dormitories for boys and girls respectively, play an important role in the Adi society. Different sections of the Adis call these institutions by different names such as the Padams, Dere etc. It is customary for boys and girls to become the members of their respective institutions when they attain the age of ten. They remain in their respective dormitories till their marriage. There is no restriction for the boys of different Monship to visit girls in their Rashbengs. In course of such visits if a boy and girl happen to like each other, negotiations are carried out between the boys and the girls parents. If approved by their parents formal marriage take place according to their custom.

The bride after marriage usually continues to live with her parents till the birth of her first child. It is expected that boy in the mean time, would be able to construct a house of his own.

In the Adi society descent is traced through the father and the property devolves on the male line and the children belong to the fathers clan. If a child born in an extra martial relation is a boy, he belongs to the father's clan and if it is a girl, she belongs to mother's clan. The elder son generally set up their separate house-holds even while the father is alive though on principle. They have equal shares on the parents property. They do not dispute with the youngest brother who stays with the parents and inherits the ancestral house by common consent. The widowed mother is considered a special responsibility of the eldest son, but in practice, she prefers to live with the youngest under the roof of her deceased husband's home.

Kebang - All important decisions of political and social matters as well as the disputes among the members of the community are tried and settled by the Kebang. The various kebangs are Bane Kebang, Bango Kebang, Bogum Bokang Kebang and Atek Kebang. In Bane Kebang all the male members of the village can take part and express their opinion freely. Bango kebang consists of the head Gams of the number of villages and it has one secretary and also some funds to manage. It mainly deals with inter village disputes and development problems. Atek Kebang is for the settlement of particular cases of disputes. The Bogum Bokang Kebang is a federal organisation-its jurisdiction extends to the whole district of Siang. The social customs and relations of inter village, inter-bango disputes, political and economic changes affecting their life etc are discussed in this Kebang. The Bogum Bokong adopt resolutions and recommends measures to the government for meeting them.

The main festivals celebrated by the Adis are Mopin and Solung

Jhuming consist of clearing of a patch of jungle by cutting and burning after a particular number of years called the jhum cycle, dribbling seeds into the cleared patch by the help of a poker. Weeding at least four times, watching and protecting the growing plants from the wild animals and birds and finally harvesting a meager mixed crop, normally just enough to feed the workers - men, woman and children who had put in about 5 to 6 months of hard labour into the patch.

Paddy, millet and maize are the major crops. The indigenous vegetables are sweet potatoes, brinjal, ginger, chillies, pumpkin, cucumber, and local cowpea. Pine apple, oranges, lemon, lichi, papaya, banana and peach walnut, almond etc are also grown in Arunachal.

Industry
The state has several medium industries based on its forest products. Plants to produce cement and fruit processing units have also come up in the state. There are a number of craft training centres and the states handloom industry has made good progress. The people are experts in cane and bamboo basketry work. Wood carving and black smithy are found in certain villages. Iron scrapers, spear head, and Daos required for day-to-day use are made in several villages.

Mineral resources found in the state are clay, marble, lime stone, graphite, pyrite. Arunachal Pradesh Mineral Developmemt and Trading Corporation Limited was set up in 1991 and Namchik-Namphuk coal fields are under APMDTCL. The small scale cottage industry consist weaving, cane and bamboo work and silver smithy etc. To provide training to craftsmen there are two industrial training institutes at Roing and Daporijo.

Tourism

Arunachal Pradesh, North east India's remotest state, also known as 'Land of the Dawn-lit-Mountains' is the first Indian soil to greet the morning sun. Arunachal Pradesh is the northeastern tip of India with its borders touching China, Bhutan and Burma (Myanmar). Towards the south is Assam and Nagaland. The state offers a dazzling array of flora and fauna that is sure to enchant any tourist. More than 500 rare species of Orchids are found here. Its mysterious, powerful and beautiful rivers with faces and moods that change dramatically ever so often form the colorful lifelines. These are ideal for rafting and angling and the rugged terrain is ideal for trekking, hiking and holidaying in a serene atmosphere.