CleanupBot II: Removed empty portal template using script

2023-08-14T11:05:47Z

Removed empty portal template using script

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:35, 14 August 2023
Line 109:		Line 109:
	==See also==		==See also==

	~~{{Portal\|Geography\|Asia\|India}}~~
	{{div col\|colwidth=30em}}		{{div col\|colwidth=30em}}
	* [[North-East Frontier Agency]]		* [[North-East Frontier Agency]]

->Wangda Gyatso Gyana: River name in local dialect

2021-08-21T06:00:17Z

River name in local dialect

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}

{{Infobox settlement
| name = Mechukha
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Menchukha
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Mechuka overview 2.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Arunachal Pradesh]], India
| pushpin_map = India Arunachal Pradesh#India3
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Arunachal Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|28|36|18|N|94|7|41|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flagu|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Arunachal Pradesh]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Shi-Yomi district]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1240
| population_total =
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 =
Hindi, English
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +05:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| registration_plate = [[Vehicle registration plates of India|AR]]
| website =
| iso_code = [[ISO 3166-2:IN|IN-AR]]
| footnotes =

}}
[[File:Mechuka landscape 1.jpg|thumb|Mechuka landscape]]

'''Mechukha''' or '''Menchukha (In Memba dialect, 'Men' means Medicine, 'Chu' means Water -streams, rivers, etc. & 'Kha' means Snow; Meaning "the land blessed with medicinal snow-fed water- river & streams" )''' is a town, assembly constituency and subdivision, situated {{convert|6000|ft|m|0}} above sea level in the Mechukha Valley of Yargep Chu/ [[Siyom River]] in [[Shi Yomi district]] of [[Arunachal Pradesh]] state of India.<ref name=lec1>{{cite web|title=Basar MLA |url=http://arunachalassembly.gov.in/mla.html |access-date=22 October 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819210824/http://www.arunachalassembly.gov.in/mla.html |archivedate=19 August 2016 }}</ref> Before the 1950s, Mechuka valley was known as '''Pachakshiri'''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Grothmann|first=Kerstin|url=https://brill.com/view/book/9789004437685/BP000024.xml|title=Pachakshiri: A Little-Known Hidden Land between Tsa ri and Padma bkod in the Eastern Himalaya|date=2020-11-26|publisher=Brill|isbn=978-90-04-43768-5|pages=276|language=en}}</ref>

[[Line of Actual Control]] ([[McMahon Line]]) India-Tibet border 29 km north of Menchuka separates Indian territory and Chinese territory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/special/the-last-village-in-our-arunachal/20150223.htm|title=The last village in our arunachal|accessdate=1 August 2017}}</ref> Mechukha has a [[List of Indian Air Force stations#AGL|AGL airstrip]]. Reachable by one of the strategic [[India-China Border Roads]], it is located 47 km northwest of district head office Tato and 187 km north of [[Aalo]].

== Background ==

===Etymology===
[[File:Menchukha Pine Forests.jpg|alt=Menchukha Pine Forests|thumb|Menchukha Pine Forests.]]

The name ''Men-chu-kha'' means medicinal water of snow where ''men'' is medicine, ''chu'' is water and ''kha'' is snow though kha also means mouth. Menchukha has been popularly spelled as "Menchuka" or "Mechuka".<ref>[https://shiyomi.nic.in/tourist-place/mechukha/ Mechukha tourism in Shi Yomi], NIC.</ref>

=== History ===


Mechuka is part of Arunachal Pradesh state of India. Prior to the construction of the modern road, the only access to the village was via an airstrip, used by the [[Indian Air Force]] to supply goods to local people.

==Politics ==
Mechuka is an election constituency of [[Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly]]. As of June 2019, the [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]] elected from Mechuka constituency is [[Pasang Dorjee Sona]].<ref name=lec1/>

==Demographics==

Menchukha/Mechukha Valley is home to the people of the [[Memba people|Memba]] and [[Adi people]]. Other local people include Tagin tribes. The current MLA (August-2016) of Mechuka constituency is Pasang Dorjee Sona.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mechuka MLA |url=http://arunachalassembly.gov.in/mla.html |accessdate=14 August 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819210824/http://www.arunachalassembly.gov.in/mla.html |archivedate=19 August 2016 }}</ref>

Religions practiced in the valley include [[Tibetan Buddhism]], [[Donyi-Polo]]ism, and [[Christianity]].{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} Mechukha is known for both its religious and historical significance. The 400-year-old Samten Yongcha monastery of [[Mahayana]] Buddhist sect is a contemporary of the much-revered [[Tawang Monastery]].

The languages spoken in Mechuka are [[Tshangla language|Tshangla]], [[Adi language|Adi]], [[Tagin language|Tagin]], Hindi, and English.{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} There is no evidence of Tshangla still being spoken in Menchukha valley. Instead, the people speak Memba, which is a Bodish language made up of a mixture of various Bodic varieties (dwags-po, kong-po, brag-gsum mtsho-'khor), East Bodish Tawang Monpa, Tshangla and some Tani loans. Some Memba people still speak Tawang Monpa.<ref>{{Cite journal | url=https://zenodo.org/record/1117219 | title=Menchukha valley - Overview| date=2017-12-16| last1=Bodt| first1=Timotheus Adrianus}}</ref>

==Transport ==

===Mechuka Airport===
[[File:Menchukha Town at the Dusk.jpg|alt=Menchukha town at dusk|thumb|Menchukha town at dusk]]

The Indian Air Force maintains an airstrip, known as the [[Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground|Advanced Landing Ground]] (ALG) in Mechukha. The airstrip is used frequently to bring in vital supplies from cities in Assam via [[Antonov-32]] aircraft and helicopters. The runway was renovated, strengthened, upgraded to a concrete runway and extended to 4,700 feet in 2017 by the government.<ref name=ude1/> The area has a significant military presence, which also creates some employment opportunities for civilians. There is a twice a week helicopter service under the [[UDAN]] scheme on Monday and Saturday.<ref name=ude1/> [[Government of Arunachal Pradesh]] has invited bids from the private airlines to operate a 9-seater fixed-wing air service which will not be under the UDAN scheme (c. May 2018).<ref name=ude1>[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/arunachal-pradesh-plans-fixed-wing-flight-service-to-airstrip-near-china-border/article23890999.ece Arunachal Pradesh plans fixed-wing flight service to Mechuka, closest to China border], [[The Hindu]], 15 May 2018.</ref> On 3 Jun 2019, An Indian Air Force Plane Carrying 13 went missing after taking off From Assam toward this airport.<ref>[https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/air-forces-an-32-aircraft-that-took-off-from-assams-jorhat-with-13-on-board-missing-2047193 Air Force Plane Carrying 13 Missing After Taking Off From Assam]</ref>
The wreckage of this aircraft was found in Siang circle sometime on 11 June 2019 and has been confirmed to District officials by IAF. The wreckage was spotted by an MI17 helicopter that was on search & rescue mission since last 8 days.

===Highways===

Mechukha has recently been connected by a strategic road to Tato and Aalo (formerly called Along), leading to increased development in the area. Mechukha has since become a subdivisional headquarters.

The {{convert|2000|km|mi|adj=mid|-long}} proposed Mago-[[Thingbu]] to [[Vijaynagar, Changlang|Vijaynagar]] [[Mago-Thingbu to Vijaynagar Border Road|Arunachal Pradesh Frontier Highway]] along the [[McMahon Line]],<ref name=BR1>{{cite web|title=Top officials to meet to expedite road building along China border|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Top-officials-to-meet-to-expedite-road-building-along-China-border/articleshow/44831871.cms|work=Dipak Kumar Dash|accessdate=27 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="BR2">{{cite web | url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-narendra-modi-government-to-provide-funds-for-restoration-of-damaged-highways-2020106 | title=Narendra Modi government to provide funds for restoration of damaged highways | accessdate=27 October 2014 | website=Daily News and Analysis| date=2014-09-20 }}</ref><ref name=BR3>{{cite web|title=Indian Government Plans Highway Along Disputed China Border|url=https://thediplomat.com/2014/10/indian-government-plans-highway-along-disputed-china-border/|work=Ankit Panda|publisher=thediplomat.com|accessdate=27 October 2014}}</ref><ref name=BR4>{{cite news |url= http://www.livemint.com/Politics/nqEwdXxkIgrSHPpTSzsFRN/Govt-planning-road-along-McMohan-line-in-Arunachal-Pradesh.html |title= Govt planning road along McMohan line in Arunachal Pradesh: Kiren Rijiju |newspaper= Live Mint |accessdate= 2014-10-26|date= 2014-10-14 }}</ref> (will intersect with the proposed [[East-West Industrial Corridor Highway, Arunachal Pradesh|East-West Industrial Corridor Highway]]) and will pass through Mechuka, alignment map of which can be seen [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141016/nat7.jpg here] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20160306112247/http://arunachalpradesh.nic.in/images/state_map.jpg here].<ref name=BR5>{{cite web |url= http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141016/nation.htm|title=China warns India against paving road in Arunachal|work=Ajay Banerjee|accessdate= 2014-10-26}}</ref>

==Tourism==

Mechukha is gradually becoming a popular tourist destination in Arunachal Pradesh due to its scenic beauty, exotic tribes, gentle hills and snow-capped mountains and [[Siyom River]] (locally known as Yargyap Chu). The Siyom River, which flows through Mechukha also provides a scenic view in the valley.<ref name = "TOI">{{cite news|title=Mechuka Valley to be next tourist hotspot in northeast|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-20/guwahati/31373212_1_wellness-tourism-tourism-destination-arunachal-pradesh |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704100422/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-20/guwahati/31373212_1_wellness-tourism-tourism-destination-arunachal-pradesh |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 July 2013 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date= 20 April 2012 |accessdate=26 April 2013}}</ref>

The major tourist attraction here is a 400-year-old Buddhist Monastery, which is located at a hilltop in the westernmost part of Mechukha. Numerous ancient statues can also be found here. Accommodations are available at Tourist lodges and Inspection Bungalow and a few hotels are also coming up to meet the increasing influx of tourists from the country and abroad. The people of Adi tribe have resided in the Menchukha valley since time immemorial in the periphery of Mechukha valley in the villages of Gapo, Pauk, Padusa, Lipusi, Hiri, Purying, Rapum, Charung, Rego and Kart gumjipang, barang gang, shorang dhem, etc.

A new giant [[flying squirrel]] was discovered and described from the area by noted naturalist of North East India Dr. [[Anwaruddin Choudhury]], who named Mechuka's giant flying squirrel ''[[Petaurista mechukaensis]]''.<ref name="Choudhury2007">{{cite book|author=A. U. Choudhury|title=A new flying squirrel of the genus Petaurista Link from Arunachal Pradesh in north-east India. Newsletter & J. Rhino Foundation NE India 7: 26-32, plates|year=2007}}</ref> The IUCN RedList has classified it as a Data Deficient species.<ref name="Engelbrektsson, P. & Kennerley, R.2016">{{cite book|author=Engelbrektsson, P. & Kennerley, R.|title=Petaurista mechukaensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T45959013A45973146."|year=2016}}</ref>
[[File:Menchukha landscape, river Siyom at the foreground.jpg|thumb|Menchukha landscape with river Siyom at the foreground]]
[[File:Menchukha landscape, river Siyom at the foreground (2).jpg|thumb|Menchukha landscape, river Siyom at the foreground]]

==See also==

{{Portal|Geography|Asia|India}}
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[North-East Frontier Agency]]
* [[List of people from Arunachal Pradesh]]
* [[Religion in Arunachal Pradesh]]
* [[Cuisine of Arunachal Pradesh]]
* [[List of institutions of higher education in Arunachal Pradesh]]
{{div col end}}
{{clear}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Arunachal Pradesh}}
{{Indian Air Force}}
{{Minority Concentrated Districts in India}}

{{States and territories of India}}

{{Geographic location|Centre = Arunachal Pradesh
|North = {{flagicon|PRC}} [[Tibet Autonomous Region]], China
|Northeast =
|East = {{flagicon|Burma}} [[Kachin State]], Burma
|Southeast = {{flagicon|Burma}} [[Sagaing Region]], Burma
|South = [[Nagaland]]
|Southwest = [[Assam]]
|West = {{flagicon|Bhutan}} [[Dzongdey#Zone Statistics|Eastern Zone]], Bhutan
|Northwest =
}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Shi Yomi district]]

Mechuka - Revision history

CleanupBot II: Removed empty portal template using script

->Wangda Gyatso Gyana: River name in local dialect