Demography of Tezu
According to the 2001 census, Tezu had a population of 15,014. The average literacy rate of the town is 68%. The town of Tezu is inhabited mostly by the Mishmi tribes. There are also other tribes like Khamti, Digaru and Miju inhabiting the town.Tezu also has a sizable quantity of Tibetan population, of about 2000 people residing in a settlement called by local name as Lama Camp. The Tibetans started living here after the Chinese started persecuting in their homeland.
Tourism in Tezu
The town of Tezu has many scenic tourist places in and around the town in addition to the religious sites of Parshuram Kund, Tamreswari temple and the Shiva temple. The tourist spots in Tezu are briefly discussed below:Buddha-Vihar
This place is locally known as Chong and is one of the biggest of its type in the Wakro-Tezu road.Dong
Dong is a small hamlet located in the eastern most part of India. This is a beautiful place where from one can see the sunrise. It is located near the Walong circle at a distance of about 200 kms from Tezu and is connected by roads. The hamlet provides a spectacular view of the sunrise with the snow capped mountains and the blue pine forest in the first rays of the day. This place is famous as the first sunrise of the Northeast can be seen from here.
Hawa Camp
This place is located at a distance of around 33 kms from Tezu towards Hayuliang. One can have a panoramic view of the wonderful Lohit valley as well as the sunrise and sunset from this point. This is an ideal picnic spot.
District Museum
This museum in Tezu houses many artifacts and hand loom items.Glow Lake
A beautiful lake located in the Wakro circle surrounded by snow clad mountains and some amazing flora and fauna, the Glow lake is also one of the major tourist attractions in Tezu. It is at a height of about 5000 feet above the sea level. The glow lake can be taken from the Chongkham-Wakro road and due to the absence of a proper road towards the lake, the journey becomes an exciting adventurous trekking expedition.
Religious Tourism in Tezu
Tezu has a number of religious tourist places which experience devotees and tourists from across the country visiting in every year to offer their prayers.Parshuram Kund
Parshuram Kund is a pilgrimage site located in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is situated around 21 kms north east of Tezu and is dedicated to Lord Parshuram. This pilgrimage site, over the years has been recognized as a famous pilgrimage center for tourists. Every year many tourists and devotees come here to take the holy dip and offer their prayers in this place. This place is located at an average height of 3500 meters above sea level.
According to legend, when Parshuram killed his mother with an axe at the behest of his father, the axe got stuck to his hands. Parshuram then roams all over visiting holy places to atone for the sin he has committed, but still the axe was stuck in his hands. After much traveling, he came to a Kund known as Brahma Kund one the advice of sages. He came to this place and took a dip into the holy water of the Kund and the axe immediately became unstuck and fell from his hands.
Parshuram got relieved and with the venting anger on the axe, he took it in his hands and threw it as far into the mountains. The axe split the mountains and the spot where it fell became the source of the Lohit River. From then on, this Kund came to be known as Parshuram Kund. This place is regarded as one of the holiest places and it is said that if a person comes to this pilgrimage site and offer prayers and takes a dip in the holy water, all his sins of his life are washed away.
The place holds a fair every year known as Parshuram Mela during the January month. The place is rich in natural beauty with the hills surrounding it and the river flowing by the rocky bank. The clear waters with the green lush forests surrounding it presents a serene calm feel into everyone’s mind who visit this place.
How to reach Parshuram Kund
One can travel to this place with private vehicles through roadways. The nearest airport is in Tezu (served by Vayudoot) at a distance of 20 kms away and the nearest rail head is Tinsukia at a distance of 120 kms away. The best time to visit is from October to April.Tamreswari Temple
The Tamreswari temple is located in Tezu in Lohit district. The roof of the temple was initially sheeted with copper plates and hence the name Tameswari came into being. The compound wall is well built and huge and has a stone gate on the eastern side. The temple was the seat of Goddess Kesaikhati and is worshipped by Deuri priests.Shiva Temple
This temple is situated in Tezu about 2 kms south east of the Tameswari temple. This shrine is a solid cube made of granite and the other structure is a cylindrical base. The remaining structure is made up of bricks of awkward shape which are well burnt and produces a metallic sound.
Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary
The Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the south eastern part of the Lohit district in Arunachal Pradesh. The sanctuary is bordered by the river Lang and Lati on the north, the Turung Reserve forest on the west, the Dapha bum ridge on its south which separates the Kamlang and Namdapha national park and the districts of Lohit and Changlang on the south. The sanctuary comprises an area of 783 sq kms.The Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary was notified in the year 1989, earlier being a part of Kamlang Reserve forests under Namsai forest division that comprised of 1726 sq kms. The name of the wildlife sanctuary comes from the name of the river Kamlang which flows through the sanctuary from east to west. This river flows to join the Brahmaputra further on the western side of the sanctuary. There are settlements of Wakro people in and around the sanctuary.
Terrain of Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary is rugged and mountainous with few slopes created by the rivers and perennial streams that run through it. The elevation in the sanctuary ranges from less then 500 meters to a lofty 4500 meters above sea level. The highest peak, part of the Dapha Bum ridge lies in the south eastern side of the sanctuary bordering Namdapha.The vegetation of the sanctuary covers a wide range of habitat types from sense foothill evergreen forests to the alpine meadows in the higher elevations. Broadly it can be said that the vegetation of this sanctuary classifies from tropical temperate and alpine forests.
Climate of Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary
The sanctuary has moderate temperatures and high humidity in the lower areas and intense cold in the upper reaches. The sanctuary falls within the sub-tropical zone and enjoys a sub-tropical climate.Flora in Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary
The foothill forests of Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary along with Namdapha Wildlife Sanctuary are the last remaining dipterocarp forests in the state. The foothill forests are dominated by tree species such as Dipterocarpus macrocarpus, Shorea assamica, Terminalia myriocarpa and Altingis excelsa among others. There are also rhododendron shrubs in the sanctuary. In the Kamlang river valley, bamboo and cane breaks can be seen.Fauna in Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary
There are a number of mammals and avifauna available in this sanctuary. Among mammals, there are Hollock gibbons, capped langur, Assamese macaque, stump-tailed macaque, barking deer, sambar, serow, takin, musk deer, leopard cat, fishing cat, golden cat, marbled cat, clouded leopard and tigers can be seen. In avifauna, there are reports of sightings of Rufous-necked hornbill, wreathed hornbill, great hornbill, brown hornbill, oriental pied hornbill and Smew, a small duck.
Festivals in Tezu
There are a number of important festivals like the Tamladu and Sangken which are held in Tezu. There is also a traditional fair which is held during the beginning of the each year on the eve of Makar Sankranti.
Services and Utilities in Tezu
Tezu is a small town in Arunachal Pradesh which is located in the Lohit district and is still undergoing a lot of developments. Provided with different types of services from the government as well as private organizations, Tezu runs peacefully and efficiently with a proper administration and the basic requirements for a society. Some of the important contact details in Tezu are as follows:Police Station
Phone No.: 222493, 222499, 100
Fire station
Phone No.: 101
District Hospital
Tezu
Arunachal Pradesh
Phone No.: 03804-223130
Fax:-91-03804-222261
The electricity services in Tezu are provided by the Department of Power Arunachal Pradesh, headquartered in Itanagar and supervises the electrical services throughout the state. The postal services are headed by the Indian Postal Services and there are a few banks in Tezu providing banking facilities:
State Bank Of India
Address:
Dist Lohit
Arunachal Pradesh
792001
Contact: Tel: 03804-222458/224173
IFSC Code: SBIN0001520
Branch Code: 001520
MICR Code: 786002524
Central Bank Of India
Address:
Tezu Branch,
P.O. Tezu
Dist: Lohit
State: Arunachal Pradesh
Pin: 792001
Contact: 022-22612008
IFSC Code: CBIN0284792
Branch Code: 284792
Yes Bank
Address:
P.O.: Tezu
Lohit
792001
Arunachal Pradesh
Contact: 222344
IFSC Code: YESB0ARCB12
Branch Code: ARCB12
MICR Code: 791824508
Transport Services in Tezu
The transportation Services in Tezu has developed a lot in recent times.By Road:
Tezu is well connected by roads and one can travel by buses and private vehicles to this town.
By Air:
The nearest airport is in Mohanbari in Dibrugarh.
How to reach Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary
By Road:The sanctuary headquarters are located in Wakro, located on the western side of Kamlang sanctuary. Wakro is easy accessible by road from Namsai (located at a distance of 70 kms) and Tezu (located about 30 kms away). The route from Tinsukia to Wakro via Namsai is shorter and easier than the route via Tezu.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is in Tinsukia located 150 kms away.
By Air:
The nearest airport is in Dibrugarh located 190 kms away.
Tourists visiting the area are required to get an Inner Line Permit for Lohit district. There are many accommodation places like tourist lodges, circuit houses and hotels in the places nearby Kamlang Wildlife Sanctuary. Bird watching, adventure mountaineering and trekking are the main activities of tourists visiting the park. The Government along with some NGOs is taking steps to develop the tourism scenario of the sanctuary.
