Shi Yomi district
Shi Yomi district is one of the 23 districts of Arunachal Pradesh state in northeastern India. Shi-Yomi district was created on 9 December 2018 by dividing the West Siang district when northern areas along the China border were made into a newly created Shi-Yomi district and the remaining southern areas remains the part truncated West Siang district. It has its headquarters at Tato. History. It was once a part of the West Siang district. Location. After Mechuka and Monigong the McMahon line separates Indian territory and Chinese territory. Demographics. Shi Yomi district is home to  the people of Bokar, Libo, Ramo, Tagin and Memba tribes. Religions practiced in the valley include Donyi Polo, Tibetan Buddhism, and Christianity. Scheduled Tribes are 12,202 (91.68%) of the population. At the time of the 2011 census, 68.40% of the population speaks Adi, 17.33% Bhotia, 3.77% Tagin, 3.43% Punjabi, 2.17% Monpa and 2.08% Hindi as their first language. The languages spoken in Shi-Yomi district are Adi, Bokar, Libo, Ramo, Tagin and Memba. Administration. The district was divided four administrative units namely Mechuka, Tato, Pidi and Manigong. Mechuka is part of Arunachal East Lok Sabha constituency. Transport. Prior to the  Trans-Arunachal Highway construction of the modern road, the only access was via an airstrip, used by the Indian Air Force to supply goods to local people. Another strategic road was constructed by BRO in 2017 in Kurung Kumey district between Huri (which is already connected to Koloriang) and Sarli after heavy construction equipment was heli-airlifted from Ziro, which will enable Koloriang-Huri-Sarli-Taliha-Daporijo connectivity by facilitating the construction of the remaining Sarli-Taliha section. Once Taliha-Daporijo, Taliha-Nacho, Taliha-Tato (head quarter of Shi Yomi district are completed, all of which were under construction in  February 2021 while facing land acquisition issues, it will provide the strategic frontier connectivity from Seppa-Tamsang Yangfo-Sarili-Koloriang-Sarili-Nacho (and beyond to Daporijo-Taksing)-Tato (and beyond to Mechuka-Gelling and Aalo). The Indian Air Force maintains an airstrip, known as the Advanced Landing Ground (ALG) in Mechuka. The airstrip is used frequently to bring in vital supplies from cities in Assam via Antonov-32 aircraft and helicopters. The runway was renovated, strengthened, upgraded to a concrete runway and extended to 4,700 feet in 2017 by the government. The area has a significant military presence, which also creates some  employment opportunities for civilians. There is a twice a week helicopter service under the UDAN scheme. Government of Arunachal Pradesh has invited bids from the private airlines to operate a 9-seater fixed-wing air service which will not be under the UDAN scheme. Tourism. Shi Yomi district's Mechuka is gradually becoming a popular tourist destination in Arunachal Pradesh due to its scenic beauty, exotic tribes, gentle hills, and snow-capped mountains and Siom River. The Siyom River, which flows through Mechukha also provides a scenic view in the valley. The major tourist attraction here is the 400-year -old Samten Yongcha monastery located at Neh Pemashubu on a hilltop 13 km westernmost of Mechukha. Since this was the meditation place of 6th rebirth of Guru Padmasambhāva of Mahayana Buddhist sect, it is a pilgrimage place. This is monastery is contemporary of the much-revered Tawang Monastery. It is locally also known as the gurudwara. It is reachable by the helicopter service from Itanagar via Aalo or a train till nearest railway station at Murkongselek 330 km away in Assam.