WEST SIANG, Arunachal Pradesh

Main Attraction: Mechuka Town

Mechuka, also known as Menchukha, is a small town nestled 6,000 feet (1,829 m) above sea level in the Mechuka Valley in West Siang District. Menchukha is situated in a forested valley, surrounded by pine trees and thornbushes. The river Yargyapchu flows in the valley of Menchukha. Mechuka is 180 kilometers northwest of Along and is only 29 kilometres away from Indo-Tibet border.

Menchukha is gradually becoming a popular tourist destination in Arunachal Pradesh due to its scenic beauty, exotic tribes, gentle hills and snow-capped mountains and River Siyom (locally known as Yargyap Chu). The Siom River, which flows through Menchukha also provides a breathtaking view in the valley.

The major tourist attraction here is a 400-year-old Buddhist Monastery, which is located at a hilltop in the westernmost part of Menchukha. Numerous ancient statues can also be found here. Accommodations are available at Tourist lodges and Inspection Bungalow and a few hotels are also coming up to meet the increasing influx of tourists from the country and abroad. The people of Ramo (Adi) tribe have resided in the Menchukha valley since time immemorial in the periphery of Menchukha valley in the villages of Gapo, Pauk, Padusa, Lipusi, Hiri, Purying, Rapum, Charung, Rego and Kart gumjipang, barang gang,shorang dhem.

Brief History

The name of the district is derived from the river Siang a tributary of the river Brahmaputra. 

The villages have their own customary administrative system in the form of traditional village council. The Assam Frontier Regulation, 1945 authorized the village council to settle all civil and criminal matter falling within their jurisdiction. The Dy. Commissioner is invested with the power of a session judge and other administrative officers are invested magisterial powers. The Assam high court holds jurisdiction over the district court. The district administration now is assisted by civil police in maintaining law and order. Matrimonial cases, Property disputes, Inter-village and Inter clan fends continue to engage attention of the administrative officers from circle level to district. 

With the increase of population around the district and sub-division, incidents of crime, such as theft, cheating, assault etc. are on increase. All disputes which attract customary laws are decided with the assistance of the local village council called “KEBANG”, to deal with complicated cases involving interpretation of customary laws, the system of ‘DUGGAR KEBANG’ consist of 5 (five) representatives from nearby Anchal and two representatives from local political interpreters as selected by the Dy. Commissioner, have been evolved. The Adis have a unique democratic heritage. Their institutions like ‘KEBANG, BOGUM, BOKUN’ may be compared with the present day gram panchayat, Anchal samity etc., The influence of KEBANG is still playing a great role in the society with certain modifications.

As regard the composition of the people and their history it may be mentioned that the district is predominantly inhabited by the scheduled tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Adis are the main tribe of the district followed by Mombas, Kambas and Mishmis. The Adis, with its sub groups viz. the Gollong, Boris, Pailebos, Ramos, Bokars etc., accounts for the great majority of the total population.