Kibithu

Kibithu
Kibithoo
Village
Kibithu

Location in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Coordinates: 28°17′03″N 97°00′56″E / 28.28417°N 97.01556°ECoordinates: 28°17′03″N 97°00′56″E / 28.28417°N 97.01556°E
Country  India
State Arunachal Pradesh
District Anjaw district
Elevation 1,240 m (4,070 ft)
Languages
 • Official English
Time zone IST (UTC+05:30)

Kibithu is a town in Arunachal Pradesh in Anjaw district. It is one of the easternmost permanently populated town of India, located on the LAC (line of actual control) at 28°16′49″N 97°01′04″E / 28.28028°N 97.01778°E. It is located on the last road head of extreme northeast of northeastern India. The Lohit River enters India at Kibithu.

Location

It is uniquely located on the trijunction, with China to the north and Myanmar to the east.

People

The people of Kibithu and its adjoining villages are hardworking, simple and very cooperative.

The residents of the hotspring town, on the nearby Dichu River, dwell in some of the most challenging and difficult living conditions in India.

Tourism

Scenic Drive

It is amongst the most beautiful towns of Arunachal Pradesh with dozens of rivulets and waterfalls. They make the entire journey of apprx 230 km from tezu to kibthu highly romantic and picturesque.

Trekking

Trekking from Kibithu to Taluk pass on the Myanmar border is most demanding as one has to encounter many natural hurdles. Along this route one finds many useful herbs (some almost magical), orchids, wild life, hotsprings and remains of a crashed vintage 1950s aircraft hanging precariously above the pass. Kibithu also serves as starting point for white water rafting (level 5). The mountain peaks around Kibthu range from 10,000 ft to 16,000 ft. These mountains are hard to climb because of their steep sides.

Hanging Bridge

One of the hanging bridges at Kibithu is situated high above the Lohit River and requires strong nerves to cross during the high winds.

History

Kibithu was at the heart of the Sino-Indian war of 1962 and it served as the entry/launching point of the Chinese attack in the region. Many Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives there before slaying approximately 4000 Chinese troops at Namti (the battle of Walong). The Chinese army still has a sizable deployment of troops opposite Kibithu Tatu, Tithang and at Rongtu Chu valley west of Tithang (Rima). The entire Chinese deployment opposite Kibithu is maintained via the Rau transit point.

Prior to 1962 Indians were supplying rice and other rations from Kibithu to Rima cooperative for Tibetan villagers. These rations were ultimately consumed by Chinese PLA troops during their deployment before 1962 war.

Transport

The 2,000-kilometre-long (1,200 mi) proposed Mago-Thingbu to Vijaynagar Arunachal Pradesh Frontier Highway along the McMahon Line,[1][2][3][4] (will intersect with the proposed East-West Industrial Corridor Highway) and will pass through this district, alignment map of which can be seen here and here.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Top officials to meet to expedite road building along China border". Dipak Kumar Dash. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "Narendra Modi government to provide funds for restoration of damaged highways". http://www.dnaindia.com. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Indian Government Plans Highway Along Disputed China Border". Ankit Panda. thediplomat.com. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "Govt planning road along McMohan line in Arunachal Pradesh: Kiren Rijiju". Live Mint. Retrieved 2014-10-26.
  5. ↑ "China warns India against paving road in Arunachal". Ajay Banerjee. tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 2014-10-26.