The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) is an autonomous administrative division located in Assam. It consists of five districts situated north of the Brahmaputra River and is inhabited predominantly by the indigenous Bodo people. Bodoland has a distinct history and culture and its people have been demanding greater autonomy and statehood within India.
History and Formation
Bodoland is named after the Bodo people who have lived in the region for centuries. The area was part of the historical Kamarupa kingdom and later came under the control of the Koch and Ahom kingdoms. After the British annexed Assam in 1826, they took control of the region from Bhutan and incorporated it into the Goalpara, Kamrup and Darrang districts.
Demands for an autonomous state called Bodoland emerged in the 1980s led by the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU). After much unrest, the Bodoland Autonomous Council was formed in 1993 under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. In 2003, this was converted into the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) under a new peace accord.
The BTC administered the Bodoland Territorial Area Districts until January 2020, when the Bodoland Territorial Region was formed via another agreement. The BTR was granted enhanced autonomy and legislative powers under the Sixth Schedule.
Geography and Demographics
The BTR covers an area of around 9,600 sq km consisting of five districts – Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri and Tamulpur. Under the 2020 agreement, the number of districts will increase to nine. Geographically, the region lies at the foothills of the Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh mountains.
As per the 2011 Census, the population of the BTR is over 3.1 million. The indigenous Bodo tribe forms the largest community making up 31.5% of the population. Other major groups include Bengalis, Assamese, Adivasis, Nepalis and Gorkhas.
Administration and Government
The BTR is governed by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) which has 46 elected and nominated members. The BTC appoints an Executive Council of 14 ministers to handle the administration. The autonomous region has legislative and executive powers over areas like agriculture, education, industry, forests, cultural affairs as listed in the Sixth Schedule.
Economy and Infrastructure
The economy is largely agrarian with over 97% living in rural areas. Efforts are ongoing to develop industries, urban infrastructure and tourism in the region. The Manas National Park and Baukungri Hill trekking are major tourist attractions.
Transportation infrastructure includes bus services managed by the Bodoland Transport Service. Electricity distribution is handled by the Bodoland Power Distribution Company Limited.
Culture and Society
The Bodos have a unique culture seen in their music, dance forms like Bagurumba, traditional clothes and festivals like Kherai. Football is the most popular sport in Bodoland. The region has produced many talented national athletes.
