| Ziro | |
| — city — | |
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| Coordinates | |
| Country | India |
| State | Arunachal Pradesh |
| District(s) | Lower Subansiri |
| Population | 12,289 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area |
• 1,688 metres (5,538 ft) |
Ziro is a census town in Lower Subansiri district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Contents |
Ziro is the district headquarter of Lower Subansiri district and is one of the oldest towns in Arunachal Pradesh. It was the headquarters of the undivided Subansiri district comprising the present districts of Upper Subsansiri, Kurung Kumey, Lower Subansiri and Papum Pare. It is located at [1] at an elevation of 1688 metres (5538 feet) to 2438 meters (8000 feet). Its cool weather in summer is its major attraction. It is famous for its pine clad gentle hills around it and rice field all around. Ziro is home to the Apa-Tani tribe.
Apa-Tanis have few unique special characteristic features which differs from other tribes in Arunachal Pradesh and India. Few of these special characteristic features are: (A) Apa-Tanis are permanently settled in one place whereas other tribes are nomadic in nature move from one place to another in search of fertile lands. They travel vast area of forests and settle temporarily for not more than four to five years in one place. (B) Apa-Tanis cultivate permanent wet land cultivations whereas other tribes practice dry land cultivations by clearing the forests by burning the jungles. (C) Apa-Tanis used to practice facial tattoos before; now they have dropped this custom few decades back.
As of 2001[update] India census,[2] Ziro had a population of 12,289. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. In Ziro, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Ziro has highest numbers of Schools in Arunachal Pradesh. There are more than hundred private and Government Schools and one college run by Claretian Missionaries. Ziro has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 72%, and female literacy is 60%.
*Paddy cum fish culture:- This practice of rearing fish in the paddy field is one unique feature for which Ziro is known all over, but more than that the hallmark of Apatani agriculture is its traditional irrigation system which has made the paddy cum fish culture possible. After transplanting of paddy from the nursery in wet rice cultivation field (W.R.C.), the fish fingerlings are put in Pakho/Hetey (channels in paddy field for drainage of water) at knee-deep height that are kept for 2–3 months before harvesting of fish.[3] Though there is hardly any gap in the agriculture calendar of the Apatanis but the main activities i.e., sowing starts in February with harvesting in October.The rearing of fish in the paddy field starts from May and its harvesting is done from July to September.
*Tarin Fish Farm:- About 3.5 km from Hapoli Town, one can see beautiful high altitude fish farm where breeding of high altitude fishes is done. The fingerlings are sold during paddy cultivation season.
*Ziro Putu:- Also called as Army Putu by the localites it is a Hillock at old Ziro where an Army cantonment was located in sixties but shifted later. From this hillock one can have bird’s eye view of Ziro valley. The Airstrip is also located beneath this hillock in the midst of the scenic paddy field.
*Shiva Linga at Kardo:- It is about 4 km away from Hapoli town. The height of Shiva Lingam is 25 ft with 22 ft width.[3] Large number of devotees visit it every day.
*Talley Valley:- It has diverse flora and fauna ranging from sub-tropical to alpine forests. It is covered with impenetrable vegetations marked by giant silver fir trees, a variety of rhododendron, orchids, ferns and varieties of bamboo. This biodiversity hot spot is approximately 32 km north east of Ziro and makes a perfect route for trekking.
The best times to see, feel and be the part of an Apatani is in the month of January during 'Murung rituals', in the month of March during 'Myoko rituals' and from 4 to 7 July in 'Dree Festival'. Besides these rituals and festivals, visit during the agriculture seasons from February to October would be a unique experience for it is one of its kind in the entire world which has even been vouched by UN officials.[4]