PAPUM PARE, Araunachal Pradesh

Main Attraction: Ganga Lake

Ganga Lake is a lake in Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of the most popular places in Itanagar. People from all around visit this place as a recreational spot and for the picture perfect view of this lake. Because the lake is still with no connection with moving water bodies, its color is green. Many mythological rumors about the Ganga Lake and its color are heard still. It is locally known as “Gekas Sinyi” or “Garkar Saenyik”. In Nyishi dialect it means confined water.

Brief History

The Papum Pare district, the Capital district of Arunachal Pradesh is situated in the South-West part of Arunachal Pradesh bordering with the State of Assam. The name of the district is derived from the rivers Papum and Pare which flow through the district.

Till 1919, the district was a part of Lakhimpur district of Assam which was known as Lakhimpur Forntier Tract of the “Nort East Frontier Tract”. In March 1919 the Lakhimpur Frontier Tract along with western sector was renamed as “Balipara Frontier Tract”. In 1946 “Subansiri area” was curved out from the “Balipara Frontier Tract” with the head quarters at North Lakhimpur. In 1954 Subansiri area was renamed as “Subansiri Frontier Division” with the temporary head quarter at Kimin and later it was shifted to Ziro. Like other parts of NEFA (North East Frontier Tract), the district was also under the Ministry of External Affairs and over all in-charge was a Political Officer.

On 1st September, 1965, the Ministry of Home Affairs took over the administrative charge of NEFA from MEA and Subansiri Division was renamed as “Subansiri district”. The political officer was re-designated as Deputy Commissioner, Additional Political Officer as Additional Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Political Officer, Assistant Political Officer II and Base Superintendent as Assistant Commissioner, Extra Assistant Commissioner and Circle Officer respectively.

On 22nd September, 1992, Papum Pare district was created and inaugurated at Doimukh by the then Chief Minister Shri Gegong Apong bifurcating from Lower Subansiri district and become the 12th district of the State. The district headquarter is located at Yupia, which is situated about 20 Kms from Itanagar.