Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh Foundation Day: 20 February

Context

Northern States Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have celebrated their Foundation Day on February 20, since 1987.

About Arunachal Pradesh 

• Arunachal Pradesh is the extreme northern part of the country, which is also known as the ‘land of the rising sun’. 
• The state at the edge of the Himalayas is proud to be called the land of dawn and lit mountains. 
• Arunachal Pradesh became the 24th state of India.
• Arunachal Pradesh has the lowest population density of any other state of India. Most of the members of this state are situated near the valleys. 
• There are hardly any cities and towns in this state.

Background

• During colonial rule, the British ruled over Arunachal Pradesh, which was then part of North East Frontier Tracts. 
• The area came under the jurisdiction of the Assam government post-independence. 
• India became an independent nation in August 1947 and back then, Arunachal Pradesh was called North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA), which was administered by the Assam State.
• In 1972, NEFA became a Union Territory and a part of it was named Arunachal Pradesh. 
• On February 20, 1987, it became a full-fledged state and became the 24th state of Union India.
• The state near the Himalayas shares its borders with Bhutan to the west, a Tibetan region to the North, Myanmar and Nagaland to the South and Southeast and Assam to the South and Southwest region. 
• Internationally, the state also shares its borders with China. 
• The Chinese claimed this region to be theirs and in 1962, they claimed to split over with the Sino-Indian War. 

Some facts about Arunachal Pradesh

• It is the largest state in north-eastern India, with an area of approximately 83,743 square km.
• The state boasts of immense biodiversity, with eight wildlife sanctuaries, two national parks and one orchid sanctuary.
• Arunachal Pradesh is also home to the Dehang Dibang Biosphere Reserve.
• The official state bird is the hornbill while the state animal of Arunachal is the mithun.
• The Tawang Monastery, which is the second largest and oldest monastery in the world, is located in Arunachal Pradesh.
• The state is also home to about 26 major tribes and over 100 sub-tribes as well.

About Mizoram

• Mizoram was declared as a separate UT in 1972 under the Northeast Areas (Reorganization) Act, 1971.
• It became the 23rd state of India after the 53rd Amendment to the Indian Constitution, 1986. 
• Mizoram, as well as the state of Arunachal Pradesh, came into existence on 20 February 1987.
• Itanagar is the capital of the state where Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, the seat of the government is located. 
• The city is inhabited by tribes of Nyishi, Adi, Apatani, Tagin and Galo. 
• The Ita fort is one of the most prominent historical sites of the state. 
• The literal meaning of the fort is called the fort of bricks which was built in the 14th or the 15th century. 
• The Jawaharlal Nehru Museum and the Ganga Lake are other historic sites to visit.