Article:
Nagaland, a vibrant state in Northeast India, celebrated its 59th Statehood Day on December 1st, 2021. Established as a separate state on 1st December, 1963, with Kohima declared as its capital, Nagaland’s journey towards statehood is steeped in historical significance, geographical diversity, and rich cultural heritage.
The Path to Nagaland’s Statehood
Post-India’s independence in 1947, the Naga territory was a part of Assam. However, the urge for a political union of the Naga tribes led to a robust nationalist movement. Extremists demanded secession from the Indian union, resulting in the 1957 union of the Naga Hills region of Assam and the Tuensang frontier division under the Indian government’s direct administration. Finally, in 1960, it was resolved that Nagaland should become a constituent state of the Indian union. By 1963, Nagaland achieved statehood, and a democratically elected government was installed in 1964.
Nagaland’s Geographical Landscape
Nagaland is surrounded by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, and the country of Myanmar (Burma). The state’s capital, Kohima, is situated in the southern part of Nagaland. The state experiences a Monsoonal (wet-dry) Climate, with rainfall averaging between 70 and 100 inches per year, primarily during the southwest monsoon months (May to September).
Nagaland’s Biodiversity
Flora: The state’s flora is diverse, with forests covering about one-sixth of Nagaland. Tropical and subtropical evergreen forests lie below 4,000 feet, housing palms, rattan, bamboo, and valuable timber species. Coniferous forests are found at higher elevations, and areas cleared for shifting cultivation see the secondary growth of high grass, reeds, and scrub jungle.
Fauna: The lower hills of Nagaland are home to elephants, tigers, leopards, bears, several kinds of monkeys, sambar deer, buffalo, wild oxen, and occasional rhinoceroses. Other fauna like porcupines, pangolins (scaly anteaters), wild dogs, foxes, civet cats, and mongooses also inhabit the state. The state animal is Mithun (Gayal), and Blyth’s tragopan is the state bird.
Tribal Diversity
Nagaland consists of various tribes, with the Konyaks being the largest tribe. Other tribes include Aos, Tangkhuls, Semas, Angamis, Lothas, Sangtams, Phoms, Changs, Khiem Hungama, Yimchunger, Zeliangs, Chakhesangs (Chokri), and Rengmas.
Economy
Agriculture is the primary occupation for about nine-tenths of Nagaland’s population. Rice, corn (maize), small millets, pulses (legumes), oilseeds, fibres, sugarcane, potato, and tobacco are the principal crops. However, the state is dependent on food imports from neighbouring states.
Protected Areas in Nagaland
Nagaland houses several protected wildlife areas such as Intanki National Park, Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, and Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary.
Major Festival
The Hornbill Festival, held every year from December 1 to 10, is a significant celebration in Nagaland. Initiated in 2000, the festival aims to showcase Nagaland’s rich culture and traditions to tourists.
The Naga Community
Estimated to number about 2.5 million, the Nagas are a hill people living in the remote and mountainous regions between the Indian state of Assam and Burma. The Nagas are not a single tribe but an ethnic community comprising several tribes who reside in Nagaland and its surrounding regions. Nineteen major Naga tribes include Aos, Angamis, Changs, Chakesang, Kabuis, Kacharis, Khain-Mangas, Konyaks, Kukis, Lothas (Lothas), Maos, Mikirs, Phoms, Rengmas, Sangtams, Semas, Tankhuls, Yamchumgar, and Zeeliang.
