Naming of Arunachal Peak After Sixth Dalai Lama: China Terms It ‘Illegal and Null’

Naming of Arunachal Peak After Sixth Dalai Lama: China Terms It ‘Illegal and Null’

Sub: Geo

SEC: Mapping

Why in News:

Recently, a mountaineering team from India named a previously unnamed peak in Arunachal Pradesh after the Sixth Dalai Lama, RigzenTsangyang Gyatso. This move has sparked a response from China, which claims the region as its own territory and considers the naming illegal. The issue is significant due to the long-standing border dispute between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh.

Naming of the Peak in Honour of the Sixth Dalai Lama

A mountaineering team from the National Institute of Mountaineering and Adventure Sports (NIMAS) successfully scaled an unclimbed mountain peak located in the Gorichen range of Arunachal Pradesh.

The peak, standing at 20,942 feet, was named Tsangyang Gyatso Peak in honour of the Sixth Dalai Lama, RigzenTsangyang Gyatso, who had strong cultural and spiritual ties with the region.

According to the NIMAS spokesperson, the naming was a tribute to the timeless wisdom and contributions of the Sixth Dalai Lama to the Monpa community and the broader region.

China’s Reaction

In response to this development, China’s Foreign Ministry expressed strong disapproval, stating that the naming of the peak in Arunachal Pradesh is “illegal and null and void”.

China claims some 90,000 sq km of Arunachal Pradesh as its territory. It calls the area “Zangnan” in the Chinese language and makes repeated references to “South Tibet”.Chinese maps show Arunachal Pradesh as part of China, and sometimes parenthetically refer to it as “so-called Arunachal Pradesh”.

China makes periodic efforts to underline this unilateral claim to Indian territory. Giving Chinese names to places in Arunachal Pradesh is part of that effort.

Arunachal Pradesh Relevant Facts

Gorichen Range:It is part of the Eastern Himalayas and is located in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, near the India-China border.It is situated between the Sela Pass and Tawang and is considered one of the highest mountain ranges in Arunachal Pradesh.The range is part of the broader Himalaya region and includes several prominent peaks.

The highest peak in the range is Gorichen Peak (also called Sa-Nga Phu by the Monpa tribe), which stands at an elevation of approximately 22,500 feet (6,850 meters). It is the tallest peak in Arunachal Pradesh and among the highest in the Eastern Himalayas.

The range is revered by the local Monpa tribe, who consider Gorichen Peak a sacred mountain, believed to protect the region from evils and harm.

The Gorichen Range lies near the McMahon Line, the de facto boundary between India and China, making it strategically important for India’s defense.

Monpa Community:The Monpa community primarily resides in the Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh. They are also found in parts of Bhutan and Tibet.

The Monpas practice Tibetan Buddhism, specifically following the Gelugpa sect(the Yellow Hat sect).Their religious and cultural identity is closely tied to the Tawang Monastery, which is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India.

The Monpa people speak the Monpa language, which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family. They have their own script, similar to Tibetan.

The Monpas are skilled in making wood carvings, thangka paintings, and hand-woven carpets.

Important peaks in Arunachal Pradesh:

Dafla Hills: also known as Daphla Hills, are located on the boundary between western Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The hills are home to the autonomous Daphla tribe. They are situated north of Tezpur and North Lakhimpur and are flanked by the Aka Hills (west) and Abor Range (east).

Abor Hills:The Abor Hills are found in northeastern Arunachal Pradesh, close to the Chinese border.These hills are bounded by the Mishmi and Miri Hills, and are drained by the Dibang River, which is a tributary of the Brahmaputra River.

Mishmi Hills:These hills are located in the northeastern part of Arunachal Pradesh, at the meeting point of the Northeastern Himalayas and the Indo-Burma ranges.The hills are divided into floodplains of the Brahmaputra River and the Arunachal Himalayas. They surround the Dibang Valley and feature a mix of snow-capped mountains, lower Himalayan ranges, and the Shivalik ranges.

Miri Hills: Also known as the “Mishing Hills,” these are situated between the Dafla and Abor hills. The hills are inhabited by the Miri tribe, recognized for their unique cultural practices. These hills are located to the east of the Dafla Hills, contributing to the diverse terrain of Arunachal Pradesh.

Patkai Range: They form a natural border between India and Myanmar, with Arunachal Pradesh lying on the western edge. They are known for their biodiversity and rugged terrain, which includes dense forests and important rivers like the Lohit.

Mountain Passes: Arunachal Pradesh features several significant mountain passes, including Bomdila, Bum La, and Dihang, crucial for cross-border trade and defense.

Rivers: Important rivers like the Siang (Brahmaputra), Kameng, Subansiri, and Lohit flow through the state, contributing to its rich alluvial soil and river valleys.

About Sixth Dalai Lama – RigzenTsangyang Gyatso (1683–1706)

Born in Tawang, now in Arunachal Pradesh, India, in 1683, Tsangyang Gyatso became the sixth Dalai Lama of Tibet.He was recognized as the reincarnation of the 5th Dalai Lama and was enthroned at the age of 14.

Unlike other Dalai Lamas, Tsangyang Gyatso is known for his unconventional approach to spiritual leadership. He was a poet, lover of freedom, and preferred a secular lifestyle, which included writing poetry and enjoying worldly pleasures.

His reign was marked by political turmoil. The 5th Dalai Lama’s death was kept secret for years, creating instability.The 6th Dalai Lama’s refusal to live the typical monastic life led to tensions with the Regent of Tibet and external powers, especially Mongol and Chinese authorities.

In 1705, the Mongol leader Lhabzang Khan, supported by the Qing Dynasty, dethroned him, and he was captured.He died in 1706 under mysterious circumstances while being taken to Beijing. His death led to further political struggles in Tibet.

Despite his short and controversial reign, Tsangyang Gyatso’s poetry and his connection to the Monpa community in Tawang make him a revered figure.