Anini is a very small town, with a population roughly hovering between 2,000 and 4,000 residents according to census data and local estimates. As the headquarters of the Dibang Valley district—the least densely populated district in India—Anini is essentially a small administrative oasis in a vast, sparsely populated wilderness.
The population is predominantly composed of the indigenous Idu Mishmi tribe. In addition to the local tribal population, there is a floating population of government officials, teachers, medical staff, and security personnel (from the Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police) stationed in the area. The primary languages spoken are Idu Mishmi, Hindi, and English. The local Idu Mishmi culture is deeply rooted in animism and nature worship (specifically the reverence of the tiger as a spiritual brother), though modern education and mainland integration have introduced diverse religious and cultural practices.
