The traditional or informal trade relation in between the local people of our state and Tibet province of China has been carried on since time immoral which was discontinued after the Sino-India conflict in 1962. However, the Union Govt. of India with its all out efforts, has actively been pursued for re-establishment of the past trade points under Indo-China sector. Up till now, no LCS could be approved by the Union Govt, under Indo-China Trade Points due to want of clearance at the bilateral levels.
The past flourishing trade points under the Indo-China sector are as under:-
Kenzamane is located in the historical and beautiful valley of Pancham Valley under Zemithang administrative Circle of Tawang district. The actual distance from Kenzamane to Zeminthang is 13 Kms only. Out of this 4 Kms have already been constructed by state PWD Department. His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama used this road when he fled from Tibet to enter India. As a result, this road is treated as the most sacred road by the Buddhist people.
Bumla is 37 kms away from Tawang. From Tawang to Y-junction is 22 Kms which is metalled and the rest 15 Kms is graveled which opens for 5-6 months in a year, i.e. June to October and from November to May the road communication is cut off due to heavy snowfall. This road is one of the shortest connectivity points to china from Tawang (India). In the Chinese side, the geographical terrain and landscape is far better than Indian side. Shyo (China) is 3 Kms, Kachin- 5 Kms, Dengding 6 Kms and Nyagdo 8 kms from Bumla. The nearest major town of Chinese side, Tsonajong is 43 Kms from Bumla border post. It is a district HQ town as well as Brigade HQ connecting Gordung-Lhasa-Beijing trunk Highway. It is connected by all weather metalled road to Tsethang (district HQ in Tibet, China) by a distance of 508 Kms from Bunmla (India). Once the border trade agreement is made between India and China, the border trade could be operationalised and very easy from this point.
Kepangla Pass is located 4 Kms away from Gelling Administrative Circle under Tuting Sub- Division (ADC HQ) of Upper Siang district. Construction of road from Gelling to Tuting is almost completed. Before 1962 Sino-India conflict, the barter trade was prevalent and flourished through this trade point in between the local people Siang district and the people of erstwhile Tibet.
Lolla Pass is located in the Mechuka sub-Division (ADC HQ) West Siang district. The actual distance from Lolla Pass to Mechuka is 35 Kms out of which 14 Kms up to Yorlung has been black topped and is in all weather road condition. The further construction of the remaining portion is being undertaken by BRTF on a war footing. There is one ALG (Aircraft Landing Ground) available in Mechuka. Barter trade was also once flourished through this Pass before 1962 Sino-India conflict, however, after discontinuation of trade in 1962 war, the Memba tribe, who are basically a skilled business tribe, have been reduced to small time farmers which do not suit to them.
Dumla Pass is located in the Monigong Circle under Mechuka Sub-Division of West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The actual distance from Dumla Pass to Monigong is 40-45 Kms. Border Trade is quite feasible in Dumla Pass since Saplegong, one of the major town in Tibet Province of china is about 45-47 Kms away from this Pass.
Kibithoo is one of the remotest Circle Hq of Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. It is very close to Indo-China border which is only 7 Kms from Line of Control (LOC). Kibithoo is connected by all weather metalled road from Tezu (Distt HQ) of Lohit district. Mule/porter track exists up to interior parts of China which is still used by the local people and defense personnel of both the sides. Before 1962, Kibithoo was one of the most flourishing centers of trade under Indo-China border. The records collected by the Department say that during 1958 to 1960, 702 Indian traders had crossed over border while 874 Chinese traders had come over to India. The value of merchandise traded by Indian traders during that period stood at Rs 17,937/- while it was Rs 22,311/- by their counterpart. However, unrecorded volume of trade may be much more higher than the recorded.
Since no LCS under this sector could be approved by the government due to want of bilateral clearance from the Govt. of India and China. As such, the department could not take up any proposal for development of infrastructural under this sector till today.
KThe once flourishing trade in between the local people of our state and the people of erstwhile Tibet now province of china was discontinued abruptly after 1962 Sino-India conflict due to certain bilateral compulsion with the neighbouring county. Once, it is cleared and re-activated, it will resume as was done in the past. Moreover, the geographical condition of Tibet province of China is Arid Zone, and the province is very far away from their mainland, therefore, the export of Agriculture and Horticulture products is immensely potential to meet up their demands and needs.
