Tawang District
History, Administration, Geography, Culture, and Demographics
History & Name Origin
Erstwhile Tawang District was a Sub-Division of West Kameng District until 5th October 1984. On 6th October 1984, it was formally carved out as a full-fledged district. The first administrative centre was set up on 6th February 1951 by Major Bob Khating, a Naga officer of the Indian Frontier Administrative Service.
Etymology: “TA” means Horse and “WANG” means Chosen. Legend holds that Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso was guided to the site of the Tawang Monastery after his missing horse was found resting atop the hill, considered an auspicious omen according to the wishes of the 5th Dalai Lama.
The district spans approximately 2,172 sq. km and is bounded by Tibet (China) to the north, Bhutan to the southwest, and the Sela range (West Kameng) to the east.
Administrative Setup
The district administration is headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Magistrate, maintaining law and order, developmental works, and justice under the supervision of the Gauhati High Court and customary regulations.
Administrative Circles
| Sub-Division | Administrative Circles |
|---|---|
| Tawang | Kitpi, Tawang |
| Jang | Jang, Lhou, Mukto, Thingbu |
| Lungla | Bongkhar, Dudunghar, Lungla, Zemithang |
District Officials
| Designation | Name |
|---|---|
| Deputy Commissioner | Ms. Namgyal Angmo, IAS |
| Superintendent of Police | Shri Tasi Darang, APPS |
| ADC (Tawang HQ) | Shri Rinchin Leta, APCS |
| ADC (Jang) | Shri Hakraso Kri, APCS |
| ADC (Lungla) | Shri Tashi Dhondup, APCS |
| EAC / Deputy Director (RD) | Shri Tenzin Jambey, APCS |
| EAC (Tawang HQ) | Shri Nawang Thutan, APCS |
| EAC (Elections) | Smt. Tsering Chedon, APCS |
| Extra Assistant Commissioner (Kitpi) | Shri Sange Norbu, APCS |
Local Governance (Panchayati Raj)
Introduced via the North East Frontier Agency Panchayat Regulation (1967) with a three-tier system:
| Administrative Unit | Total Count |
|---|---|
| Villages | 235 |
| Gram Panchayats | 80 |
| Blocks / Anchal Samitis | 10 |
Physiography, Flora & Fauna
The elevation ranges from 3,500 ft to 22,500 ft. The highest peak in the district is Gourichen (approx. 22,500 ft), complemented by Chongchongma peak (approx. 14,000 ft) and the protective Geshila range near Tawang town.
- Major Rivers: Tawang-Chu and Nyamjang-Chu, nourished by numerous mountain tributaries and deep gorges.
- Flora: Diverse species of blue pines, wild orchids, and valuable medicinal and herbal plants.
- Fauna: Snow leopards, musk deer, barking deer, bears, and high-altitude avifauna roam freely due to the hunting-free ethics of the Monpa tribe.
Inhabitants, Religion & Festivals
The inhabitants belong entirely to the Monpa tribe (Mongoloid descent). Monpa settlements are distinct for hill-top Gompas, stone shrines (Mane), prayer flags (Phan), and roadside Chortens. Houses are built two to three stories high using stone and timber, featuring private family chapels.
Socio-Religious Life
The community practices Tibetan Buddhism (Gelugpa sect) centered around Tawang Monastery. By tradition, the second son of a three-son household is often dedicated to monastic life. The sacred mantra “Om Mane Peme Hung” adorns fluttered prayer flags to purify the regional environment.
Major Fairs & Festivals
- Torgya: An annual monastic festival held in January featuring monastic mask dances in the courtyard of Tawang Monastery.
- Dungyur: A major monastic celebration observed once every three years.
- Losar: The Tibetan New Year festival celebrated in late February or early March.
- Other Celebrations: Choekor, Ganden Ngamchoe, Drukpa Tse-ze, and Saka Dawa.