Pratyusha Mukherjee, Tawang (Indo- China border)
Nuranang Falls, also known as Jang Falls and locally referred to as Bong Bong Falls, is a breathtaking 100-meter-high waterfall situated 2 kilometres northeast of Jang town in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh.This stunning natural wonder is conveniently located on the motorable Jang Falls Road, nestled between Tawang and Bomdila on the NH-13 Trans-Arunachal Highway, just north of the Sela Tunnel.
The waterfall is not only a marvel of nature but also a site of historical significance. The Nuranang River, which feeds the waterfall, originates from the northern slopes of the Sela Pass and joins the Tawang River shortly after the cascade.
Nuranang river and Nuranang falls are named after a local Monpa girl named Nura (also spelled as “Noora”) who had helped an Indian Army soldier, Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, Maha Vir Chakra (posthumous) in the Battle of Nooranang during the 1962 Sino-Indian War and was later captured by the Chinese PLA forces.
Her bravery is commemorated in the naming of the river and the falls, adding a layer of cultural depth to its stunning natural beauty.
Jang is a tourist destination, town and subdivision in Jang Valley in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh state of India. It lies on NH-13 Trans-Arunachal Highway 40 km southwest of Tawang and north of Sela Tunnel/Sela Pass. As per the 2011 Census of India, Jang has a population of 5,480.Jang Hydal Plant, near the base of Nuranang Falls (Jang Falls), is a small hydel plant which generates electricity for local use.
(Pratyusha Mukherjee, Sr.Broadcast Journalist, British Media)
