ITANAGAR, 16 Jan: The anthropology department of Dera Natung Government College (DNGC), Itanagar, completed a 14-day anthropological fieldwork in Dirang town in West Kameng district on Friday.
The fieldwork was conducted by a team of 5th semester anthropology students, under the guidance of DNGC Anthropology HoD Dr Ratna Tayeng.
During the fieldwork, students worked on various research themes, such as the people and culture, hotels and markets, homestays, basic infrastructure, tourism, environmental issues, urban problems, town administration, and waste management.
Dirang is a subdivisional headquarters and houses the office of the additional deputy commissioner. Dirang was officially notified as a census town in 2011 and falls under the Class VI town category. As per the 2011 census, Dirang had a population of 3,750 people with 966 households.
Over the years, Dirang has emerged as an important centre for tourism and horticulture. Due to its growing tourism potential, both government and private initiatives have contributed to the development of accommodation facilities. The field study recorded 11 hotels and 28 homestays in and around Dirang town. On average, about 30 tourists visit Dirang daily, making it one of the emerging tourism destinations in the state.
According to local narratives, the name Dirang is believed to have originated from the word ‘Di-Rang-Sa’, meaning a place where people used to take oaths. Another popular belief suggests that lamas from Lhasa found the area suitable for settlement and named it Dirang.
Compared to many other towns in Arunachal Pradesh, Dirang has a relatively reliable water supply and electricity. However, the town faces several challenges, such as traffic congestion, poor drainage, sewage problems, and waste management issues. The town also lacks well-defined boundaries, and fire accidents and flooding have been reported from time to time. Land encroachment was another concern observed during the study.
Waste disposal remains a major problem, as garbage is currently dumped near the river due to the unavailability of land. Authorities informed that local residents are reluctant to donate land for waste dumping despite repeated requests. It was learnt that a new dumping site is under construction at Munna Camp, about 4 km from Dirang town, and it will include waste recycling facilities.
The town also does not have a fire station because of land constraints. Although a fire truck was donated by the local MLA Phurpa Tsering, it is presently non-operational due to the lack of staff.
Drainage facilities are either absent or poorly maintained. Heavy traffic in the main town area, deforestation due to house construction, and highway development are also major concerns for residents.
The study also observed that Dirang has an active community group known as the Dirang Friends’ Club, earlier called Friends Forever Club. The club plays an important role in the welfare of the town. Under its initiative, residents regularly carry out social service activities on the third Saturday of every month. The club also organises Meyong river cleaning drives and is planning to launch a flower plantation programme in and around the town in the near future.
Major attractions of Dirang town include the National Research Centre on Yak, the government apple nursery, the Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture, an orchid centre, apple farms, kiwi orchards, three important gonpas and monasteries, hot springs, and the sheep farm in Sangti.
