West Kameng is an administrative district of Arunachal Pradesh with its headquarters at Bomdila. The district derives its name from river Kameng, a tributary of Brahmaputra River. The district is surrounded by Tibet region of China in the North, Bhutan in the West, Tawang district and East Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh are in the Northwest and East respectively.

Most areas of the district are covered by mountains and forests. The inhabitants are all tribes. There are five major tribes found in the District namely: Monpas, Mijis, Akas, Sherdukpen and Khawa (Buguns).

Attractions:

Bhalukpong, Lagela Gompa at Morshing, Rupa Caves, Shergaon, Hot spring at Dirang, Sangti, GRL Monestry at Bomdila, Tippi Orchid Centre, Upper Doogjar at Rupa, Sela & Sange, SELA PASS, Nechiphu (Zero Point), Jamiri, Morshing, Dirang Fort, Ruins of Bhalukpong, Ruins of Dimachung-Betali.

Geographical location of the district:

West Kameng district is situated in the western part of Arunachal Pradesh bordering Bhutan to its west. The altitude of the District ranges from 213m MSL at Bhalukpung to 7090m MSL at Kangte.

Topography of the district:

Entire West Kameng district is a hilly terrain which consists of a series of the mountains arranged in the form of zig-zag lines, criss-crossed by numerous streams and tributaries of Kameng rivers (Bharali river) viz. Dirangchu, Santi, Bichom, Tenga and of Jamiri (Dhansiri) river. The altitude of the district varies from 213m at Bhalukpong to 4114m MSL at Sela pass.

Altitude of important places of West Kameng district.

Climate:

Agro-ecological zones:
An agro-ecosystem is essentially a man-made ecosystem which is geared to meet the basic human needs of food, fodder, fertilizer, fibre, timber, medicinal and commodity crops, and also giving some economic returns from the available resources under a particular set of growing conditions. There are three major components of agro-ecosystems: soil scrape (physiography and soil), bioclimatic (rainfall, temperature, vegetation, potential evapo-trapiration) and length of growing period. These components of agro-ecosystems have resulted land use, cropping patterns, livestock production and productivity has distinguished specific zones. In West Kameng district there are 4 major agro-climatic zones.

1. Alpine (>3500m): Sela pass range.
2. Temperate sub-alpine (1500-3500m): Bomdila, Dirang and Shergaon.
3. Subtropical hill (1000-1500m): Kalaktang, Thrizino, Nafra and Rupa.
4. Mild tropical hill (200-800m): Bhalukpong circle.

Average Rainfall, Temperature and Humidity in district H.Q. (Bomdila):

West Kameng district experiences heavy rainfall with varied weather condition. On an average the district experiences mean annual rainfall 1704.8 mm, with 25 0C (maximum) and -3.0 0C (minimum) temperatures with average relative humidity 80.72%. Total annual rainfall during the year 2007 was 1699.99 mm. Compiled data on rainfall, temperature (min, max) and average relative humidity from 1998 to 2005 are presented in Annexure-I.

Land Use Pattern of the West Kameng district:

Forest and vegetation:

The physiography of West Kameng district coupled with rainfall, temperature and relative elevation have influenced the diversity of forest. Broadly the forest of the district has been classified into:

1. Tropical Deciduous and evergreen forests (foot hill to mild hill)
2. Sub-tropical broad leaves forest- consisting of Schima walichi, Toona ciliali, Castanopsis etc.
3. Pine forests
4. Temperate broad leave forests- consisting mainly Quercus, Lamellose, Quincano, Rhododendron, Acer etc. and
5. Temperate coniferous forests- consisting of Tsuga-pinus, Wallichiana, Rhododendron, Tsunga, Abies and Tsunga-texus, The forest cover have been an important source of subsistence, employment, revenue earnings, raw materials to various industries in addition to their role in ecological balance, environmental stability, bio-diversity conservation, food security and sustainable development.