Health Seeking Attitude Among Indigenous High Landers (Native Mountain People) of Arunachal Pradesh in India

Abstract

Introduction Arunachal Pradesh, a vegetable treasure house of nature tucked away in the North-Eastern part of India, bordered by Myanmar in the east (440 km), Bhutan on the West (160 km) and China on the north and northeast (1080 km). It is situated at longitude 91° 31' E 97° 30' E and latitude 26° 28' N 29° 33' N. It has an area of 83,743 sq km with evergreen forests covering more than 82% of the state. The population of Arunachal is 10, 97,968 according to 2001 census and is scattered over 20 towns and 3863 villages with an average density of 13 persons/sq km with sex ratio 901 female per 1000 males. It encompasses extensive geographical diversity and corresponding climatic conditions varying from tropical to temperate to Alpine. It becomes progressively cold as one move northwards to higher altitude with heavy rainfall and snow capped mountains on top during winter seasons. High mountains and dense forests have disrupted intercommunication between tribes living in different river valleys. Isolation imposed by highly rugged-terrain topography has led different (26) tribes with their several dialects to live and flourish with deep sense of beauty which finds delightful expression in their songs, dances and crafts. The entire state is hilly with altitudes ranging from 150 to 7300 m above sea-level. The hills slope downwards form north to south and from west to east. The variation in altitude has created a range of climates.