In the Indian administrative framework, a tehsil (or tahsil) is a sub-district unit of administration, usually governed by a Tehsildar. Depending on the state, these units may also be called blocks, mandals, or talukas. In Arunachal Pradesh, "circle" is often used synonymously with these terms. Circles (or tehsils) are the basic units for administrative functions such as revenue collection, land records, and act as units to implement rural development schemes. Circles are grouped as districts, and collectively, they are grouped as a state. As of the recent administrative list, Arunachal Pradesh has 28 districts, which have multiple tehsils or circles, each with its own jurisdiction and community structure.
By mapping the tehsils of Arunachal Pradesh, we can view and understand the way the administrative machinery works on the ground. This is especially important given the unique challenges Arunachal Pradesh faces, including difficult to access terrain, a scattered population, diverse ethnic groups, and limited infrastructure. Tehsil division allows for decentralised administration as well, which allows for better administration and is closer to the local level. The tehsil map can also promote development planning, law and order, and tourism. The map helps both the State and its citizens navigate the region's socio-political and geographic complexity.
Tawang is one of the significant tehsils in Arunachal Pradesh, situated in the western part of the state. Tawang tehsil is located within the larger Tawang district, which shares borders with Bhutan and Tibet. Tawang is well-known for not only its stunning Himalayan landscapes but also its historical and spiritual significance. The Tawang Monastery, which is the second largest in the world, is located in this tehsil and attracts Buddhist pilgrims and visitors from across the globe. Due to its closeness to the India-China border, Tawang has significant military importance and falls under strict security and governance parameters. The tehsil is mostly mountainous with little cultivable land and is made up of several relatively smaller administrative circles, including Jemeithang and Lumla. The culture in Tawang is predominantly Monpa with visible Tibetan Buddhist influences.
Continuing towards the east, we have another crucial tehsil called Dibang Valley, located within one of India's least populated districts. The district of Dibang Valley is made up of two parts: Lower and Upper Dibang Valley. The Upper Dibang Valley, with Anini as its headquarters, includes one of the most isolated administratively defined areas in the country. The tehsil includes large mountainous, forested areas with populations of Idu Mishmi. The Idu Mishmis have a vibrant oral tradition and deeply engage ecological knowledge, which influences their interaction with their environment to this day. The remoteness of the region makes the tehsil map even more important, both at the tehsil level for emergency service, assistance, communication, and military deployment, as well as the region itself with the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary and the Dibang River. The tehsil is also prone to landslides and interruptions due to weather, which verifies the importance of thorough planning at the tehsil level.
Siang is another prominent region, now administratively divided into East Siang, West Siang and Siang district. Each of these districts consists of several tehsils, including the most famous tehsils of Pasighat (East Siang), Along Aalo (West Siang) and Boleng (Siang district). The Siang River, known as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet and the Brahmaputra in Assam, is the life of this region. The tehsils of Siang are distinctly Adi dominated (with some immigration), and the Adi people are proud of their village level institutions of tradition and have great festivals like Solung and Aran. The level of administrative complexity in Siang's tehsils is due to geography. The towns and villages of this region are located along river valleys or on hill tops, making connectivity difficult and transport precarious. Nevertheless, because the tehsils of Siang have a somewhat superior connectivity to the rest of the state and economy (especially Pasighat), they could be regarded as some of the more 'developed' regions of the state.
Ziro, located in the Lower Subansiri district, is an important tehsil in the central and western sections of this state. It is a tehsil that sits alongside and is well known for its agricultural practices, specifically the Apatani wet rice cultivation system, which has received attention as a sustainable indigenous agricultural model. The Ziro Valley is also a cultural center, showcased by the Ziro Music Festival, which attracts musicians and tourists from all over the world. Ziro tehsil is a tehsil that contains many small administrative and tribal units and represents an important case in heritage preservation and rural development. The Apatani community is also known for its customs, which include facial tattoos and building styles.
The tehsil of Mechuka, Shi-Yomi district, located further north, is yet another frontier. Mechuka lies very close to the Indo-China border. With its natural beauty (including the 400-year-old Samten Yongcha Monastery), Mechuka has recently attracted increasing interest because of its strategic military location in the region. It is populated by the Memba tribe, who have a mixture of indigenous practices and Tibetan Buddhism. Despite a rapid interest in it as a tourist destination, Mechuka remains an underdeveloped region in terms of infrastructure, making its level of tehsil-level administration very important for future growth. The simple fact that the Indian Air Force (IAF) has established a Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) signals the strategic perspective of another remote tehsil.
Changlang is located in the corner of Arunachal Pradesh in the southeast. Changlang has tehsils like Jairampur Miao, and Bordumsa. These tehsils are located in the Patkai hill range, which is home to a complex mix of tribal and non-tribal populations. All of these tehsils provide a gateway to Namdapha National Park, which is India's oldest tiger reserve. Changlang's tehsils are unique in that they are the multi-ethnic home to Tangsa, Singpho, Chakma, and Tibetan Buddhist groups. The multi-ethnic character of Changlang's tehsils adds another layer of complexity to its governance and land management. The area is also of historical importance as a setting for World War II-era events, specifically regarding the Stilwell Road and the Ledo-Burma route, which also goes through Jairampur.
Similarly, states in the south west, like Bomdila tehsil in West Kameng district emerge as dominant player. Bomdila is an important hill-station not just for tourism and culture, but also as an administrative centre. It is chiefly a hub of tourism due to its Buddhist monasteries, crafts centre, etc., as well as indigenous tribal inhabitants like the Monpa and Sherducupen. The tehsils in West Kameng are both highly valued in terms of cultural tourism, and with respect to military logistics in terms of troop deployments. As they are located on the other side of Sela Pass, with Bomdila serving as the connecting link between Tawang and the rest of India, they provide the Indian army immense value as a resource. Together, they have benefited from the upgrade of roads and telecommunication networks, which witness strong use due to their proximity to a popular hill station.
A separate note is warranted for Arunachal Pradesh’s Itanagar capital complex. The capital is a unique administrative zone distinct from other districts in Arunachal Pradesh, encompassing three tehsils (Itanagar, Naharlagun and Banderdewa). The Capital acts as the political and administrative centre of Arunachal Pradesh, and is far more populous than the rest of the state could ever be deemed as urban. It contains the Legislative Assembly, the secretariat buildings, as well as cultural hubs and accredited tertiary institutions.
Tehsil maps are not just administrative tools. They are valuable resources for land use planning, defining electoral boundaries, disaster management, and cultural representation, among other things. For example, when natural hazards, such as floods or landslides occur, tehsil maps can provide access to the data necessary for efficient delivery of relief and coordination of emergency management agencies. Additionally, for local elections, whether at the panchayat or legislative level, tehsil maps help establish voting constituents and representation. In addition, tehsil maps provide important information for researchers and historians interested in observing the distribution of the Indigenous Tribes in Arunachal Pradesh, human migration patterns, or language diversity.
When looking at tourism, tehsil maps are essential for tourism planning and cultural assessment. Many festivals, heritage sites, eco-tourism or pilgrimage planning is done at the tehsil level. Understanding tehsil boundaries is an important part of developing tour circuits, registration for permits (for example, the Inner Line Permit or Protected Area Permit) or accessing resources needed for touring. Tourists traveling from Tawang to Ziro, or the route from Pasighat to Mechuka, will pass through multiple tehsils and cultural identities, and each with its own administrative structure. Therefore, the accuracy of tehsil mapping is significant for logistics and the overall visitor experience.
FAQs
Q.1: How many districts are located in Arunachal Pradesh?
As of 2025, Arunachal Pradesh has 28 districts, with additional new districts of Keyi Panyor and Bichom having been created to enhance administrative efficiency. Each district is uniquely identified by its individual culture and geographical characteristics, making each district distinctly different.
Q.2: What are the most popular districts for tourism in Arunachal Pradesh?
The most popular districts for tourism include Tawang (known for its fantastic Monastery and scenic landscapes), Lower Subansiri (Ziro is located here, known for the Ziro Music Festival and prior known for Apatani culture), West Kameng (Home to Bomdila and Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary), and East Siang (Pasighat is located here, known for eco-tourism and river adventure). In addition, Namsai with its Golden Pagoda, Lohit with the famous Parshuram Kund pilgrimage site all receive large numbers of visitors too.
Q.3: Do travelers to Arunachal Pradesh require a permit to enter?
Yes, each traveler is required to obtain a permit prior to entering Arunachal Pradesh. Indian travelers will require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) which is available online or in designated offices, foreign national travelers will require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) which is usually obtained from authorized tour operators or Indian Mission.
Last Updated on : July 08, 2025
