Ziro
Ziro is considered to be one of the most beauteous hill stations in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The town of Ziro is located in the district of Lower Subansiri. The altitude of the place is 1500 meters above the sea level. Ziro is surrounded by beautiful lofty mountains enveloped in the pine forests. As many as 50,000 people belonging to the Apatani tribe dwell here. The members of the Apatani tribe have quite a number of distinct features which makes them somewhat different from the other tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh. To begin with, these tribal people are not nomads like the other tribal people. Unlike the other tribal groups, this community farm in permanent wet land, whereas the others cultivate in dry land and also tattoos on faces were done by these people.
The homeland of the tribal group of Apatani is basically a valley, speckled with numerous hillocks below the plush fields of paddy. On the ancient business route to North Lakhimpur, the Salin Peak is situated. The plain areas of the valley are flushed by the river Kele. Prior to converge with river Panior near Yazali, the river flows in the south direction for a length of 40 Kms. The tourists are welcomed by the Apatani group of people during the festivals such as Myoko, Murung and Dree. The people produce some very good handicrafts and handloom products.
TOURIST PLACES IN ZIRO
Paddy cum fish culture: Here fishes are bred in the fields of paddy. It is a one of kind feature of Ziro. Moreover the irrigation system of the place which has made it possible to breed the fishes in the paddy fields, are appreciated all over the state. It is a part of the Apatani culture. At first, the paddy is transferred on to the wet rice cultivation field from the nursery. After this, the fish fingerlings are kept in the canals type of structures, which are used as drainage for the paddy fields and are named Pakho or Hetey. These fingerlings are put into the knee-deep height for a time period of about 2 to 3 months. After that, the fishes are harvested. The sowing begins in the month of February, while the harvesting activities are carried out in the month of October.
Tarin Fish Farm: At a distance of 3.5 Kms from the town of Hapoli, the Tarin Fish Farm is present. At this beautiful farm, which is set at a high elevation, breeding of fishes, which only survives in the high altitude, is done.
Ziro Putu: This is a hillock situated at the ancient Ziro. This place is otherwise commonly known as Army Putu. In the 60’s, an Army Cantonment was present here; however it was later relocated. A bird’s eye view of the Ziro valley can be seen from the top of this hillock. In the middle of a spectacularly beautiful paddy field, there in an airstrip present beneath the hillock.
Shiva Linga at Kardo: At a distance of 14 Kms from the town of Hapoli, this Shiva Linga is situated. The Shiva Linga is as tall as 25 ft and the width of the linga measures to 22 ft. Daily this place receives a large number of followers.
Talley Valley: A wide range of forest containing huge array of animals and plants, are present here. The forest ranges from sub-tropical to alpine forests. The altitudinous silver fir trees, different types of rhododendron, orchids, ferns and different types of bamboo makes up the thick vegetation of the area. In the north east direction of Ziro, at a distance of 32 kms from it, this valley is located. The trails make a ideal route for trekking.
Tapyo Salt: The people belonging to the Apatani community produce this unusual tasting herbal salt. According to C.P. Kala and M. Dollo, this is one of the food practices, which separates the people of the Apatani community from Arunachal Pradesh’s other tribal communities.
HOW TO REACH ZIRO
By road: Private taxis as well as buses can be taken in order to reach the town of Ziro
By rail: No railway station is situated here in the town.
By air: Tezpur has the closest air terminal.