Ziro

Place	:	Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh
Significance	:	It houses Apatani tribal people
Temperature	:	Summer 6.3°C and 28.1°C ; Winter, from 1.0°C and 18.4°C
Altitude	:	1688 mabove sea level.
Best Time to Visit	:	September through April

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Situated 164 km from Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh, 'Ziro' is one of the most famous hill station in the state. It is the headquarter of Lower Subansiri District. Located at an altitude of 1688 meters above the sea level, it comprises the original Ziro village and the new Zero town (Hapoli). The distance between these two places is 5 kms. Shops, markets, Government’s handicraft center and banks are in new Zero town.

It's less polluted air and salubrious climate, the cool breeze and the sound of the forest make Ziro worth the travel. It is located in an extremely picturesque valley called Apatani plateau, surrounded by pine covered mountains beneath the lust paddy field. Apatani is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Ziro is inhabited by more than 30,000 Apatani tribal people. One of the most advanced tribal groups in Arunchal Pradesh state, they famous for the conservation and Paddy-cum-Fish culture which is unique amongst the Arunachal tribals. They also have a unique home bamboo plantations. A visit to an Apatani tribal home is a must. As per folklore, the women of the Apatani tribes were so beautiful that they wanted to look unattractive to males from neighboring tribes. So they were driven to safeguard themselves by tattooing and putting coin-sized nose plugs. Now these system been banned.

Eventhough Ziro is considered as a hill station, it does not offer too many tourist sights to offer. Five small rivulets namely Subansiri, Nishi, Apatani, Dafala and Miri flow nearby. Ziro boasts some peaks also; one is the Salin peak on the old Apatani trade route to North Lakhimpur. Kile Pakho, one of the high mountain ridge is just 7 km from Ziro where one can view the Eastern Himalayas. Ziro is rich in biological diversity with flora and fauna. There is a Government Handicraft Centre, from where one can collect hat made of cane or bamboo, colourful shawls and textiles woven by the tribals. An extraoridinary crafted metal replica of the mithun is available from here.

Places to see in and around Ziro

District museum

Established in 1956, the museum displays a rich collection of ethnographic and cultural materials related to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. It has textiles in the form of costumes, bags, artefacts, turquoise and coral jewellery, bone and ivory ornaments, bamboo and cane household products and a small collection of Dao machetes.

Open from 10am to 5pm. Closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Government handicrafts museum

Situated at the end of the new Ziro town, one can buy souvenirs, including Apa Tani weaves, cane and bamboo products from here.

Talle Sanctuary

Covering an area of 337 sq km, Talle Sanctuary is 38 kms from Ziro. It has varied flora and fauna. Covered by sub-tropical evergreen forest, temperate broad-leaved and conifer forest, the sanctuary is a breeding ground for birds especially the rare long-billed wren-babbler. It also has a collection of endangered plants and rare orchids.

Some of the famous attractions found over here include Elephant, Barking deer, Giant squirrel, Himalayan squirrel, Himalayan black bear, Indian porcupine, Leopard, Malayan giant squirrel, Hoary bellied himalayan squirrel, Wild boar, Slow loris, Tiger, Wild dog, Gaur, Mithun, Clouded Leopards, and Bears. The sanctuary is also a home to Mithun (cross breed of wild gaur and the buffalo). Pange, on the way to Talley, is an ideal place for angling.

Accommodation facility is available at the Forest Bungalows.

Tarin Fish Farm

This regional high-altitude fish seed farm at Tarin, near Ziro, is a great example of the Apa Tanis’ paddy and fish culture.