BOLENG, Jan 13: In an effort to explore the unexplored, the members of ‘Ane Siang Tours & Expeditions’ and ‘My Tribal Tour’ recently went on a trip to Diba Adi, a virgin mountain in Siang district.

Diba Adi, located around 2000 metre above mean sea level in between Parong, Dosing, Pareng, Sitang and Riga villages, is very favourable for Mithuns (Bos frontalis) where thousands of the state animal from the said villages stay in herd and feed on leaves. The villagers of Parong and its adjoining villages had constructed a rest house and wooden logs on a voluntary basis so that they can have easy access to their semi-domesticated animal.

The mountain peak, also having a lake (Diba Hi eng) is very ideal for short term trekkers. The adventure lovers would also experience the trekking through jhum field, orange orchard and cardamom garden.  One can see the snow-clad mountains of Upper Siang and Dibang Valley districts from the Diba peak. It is accessible from the said villages with a trekking journey from three to five hours.

Tayeng Tamut, a senior citizen from Parong village said that it is easier for them to search their mithun from the Diba area because the community had maintained a very well organized way in keeping their semi-domesticated animals.

“Once you go to the Diba and start beating the wooden logs and trees, all the Mithuns from the nearby forest will come out in order to feed on salt”, he said.

It is surprising to hear from Tamut that even women folk from the village trekked upto the last peak in search of their mithuns.

Kalen Pertin, Managing Director of ‘My Tribal Tour’ said that the place is very ideal for adventure lovers. One can go for short term trekking at least for two nights stay.

He said that the tourism in Diba Mountain will be a boon for the villagers as it has huge scope for wildlife tourism, culture, agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry.

“Community tourism in Diba Adi can be a boon for the villagers. It can be an avenue for sustainable income generation for the youths if properly developed”, he said.

Michael Mibang, Tour Guide of ‘Ane Siang Tours & Expeditions’ sharing his experience on a recent visit to Diba Mountain said that tourism can be flourished in the mountain peak if properly marketed, proper trekking routes are developed and  rejuvenation program for the mithuns is implemented.