Nimok Pung: A Hidden Gem with Tourist Hub Potential in Arunachal Pradesh

A correspondent

DIBRUGARH: There are many unexplored things in eastern Arunachal Pradesh that are not known to the outer world.

 These things not only create curiosity in one’s mind but also have tremendous potential for the development of tourism.

One such subject is the unique saltwater well (locally known as Nimok Pung) that is located at a hillock in Subang village in the Tirap district of Arunachal.

It is quite unique that the water of the well is totally salty, and locals informed that at one point of time in the past, a major portion of Arunachal Pradesh and the eastern part of Assam used the salt after processing the water. 

The villagers from Arunachal Pradesh used to bring processed salt in order to exchange it for dal, oil, etc., during the days of the barter system.

Although some efforts are being taken up at the initiative of state forest minister Wanki Lowang, the villagers appealed to the government to take up some permanent measures to boost tourism in the area.

Recently, a delegation of Dibrugarh Press Club visited Nimok Pung to unearth the mystery of the salt well in Subang village in Arunachal’s Tirap district. During the visit, the local villagers welcomed and felicitated the delegation.

“We urged the government to transform Nimok Pung as a tourism place. Our forefather used the salt from this well, and we have a belief that if you used salt water from this well, then no disease could touch you or your family,” said a local resident of Subang village.

He said, “The traditional process of salt production is called Sumkoakin Nocte. The term is derived from two words—”sum” means ‘salt’ and koak means ‘to extract’; thus, it means ‘to extract salt’. It is a broad term used to refer to the whole process of salt preparation.”.

“Nimok Pung is a sacred place for us, and we Nocte people respect this place because our forefathers used to collect the salt water from the well and used it for greater health benefits. Many people are not aware of this place, but we have a rich history associated with the salt well,” said a Gaon Burah of Subang village. 

In the early days, salt production was an important economic activity among the Nocte and Tusta tribes of the Tirap district. It was a laborious job that consumed a lot of time and energy.

It could take a week or more than a week to complete the whole process of salt preparation. The salt wells were owned by clan, village, or community-wise.

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