Mizoram at Current

MIZORAM 

 Mizoram is a small and young state of Indian Union. It had its full-fledged statehood on the 20th February 1987 as the 23rd state of Indian Union by an Act of Parliament in the wake of a Peace Accord singed by the Governmentof India and Mizo National Front on the 30th June 1986. The state of Mizoram occupies important place in India because of its long international borderline, its attainment of the highest position in literacy rate in India and the achievement of some youths in national and international sport events in the recent years. The scenic beauty, the flora and fauna, the unique socio-cultural life of peace loving and jubilant people and the pleasant climatic condition is a fascination for people from outside the state and also the

foreign nationals. However, poor infrastructure facilities, restrictions for entry and uncomfortable socio-political situation in the northeast region have been the major deterrents for outside tourists to the region and the state. A gradual improvement in the situation is showing positive signs for the development of the region, particularly for Mizoram since it is the most peaceful state of India today. 

GEOGRAPHY The geographical location of Mizoram is between the latitude 21° 58’ N a24° 35’ N and the longitude 92°15’ E and 93° 29’ E. The tropic of Canceruns through the Southern periphery of Aizawl town at 23° 30’ N latitude. The state covers the area of 21,087 Sq. Kms bordered by Bangladesh and Tripura in the west, Myanmar in the east and south and Assam and Manipur in the north. Mizoram has a great strategic importance for India since it has 630 Kms international border with Myanmar and Bangladesh.

The topography of Mizoram is mountainous with three hill ranges runninorth – south parallel to each other. The hill slopes are very steep creating narrow and deep gorges through which

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hills and narrow valleys. The largest of these plains is Champhai, situatedthe eastern border of the state, bordering Myanmar. It has a length of about 11 Kms. and maximum width of about 5 Kms. The other major plains areVanlaiphai and Thenzawl. The major parts of these plains have been converted into rice fields. The average height of the hills is about 900 meters on the west, rising to about 1,500 meters further east and in place crossing 2,000 meters. The highest peak Phawngpui having an altitude of 2,157 meterlies in the Blue Mountains situated in the south Chhimtuipui district. The other main peaks are Lengteng (2,141 meters), Sur Tlang (1,967 meters),

Lurh Tlang (1,935 meters), Tan tlang (1,929 meters).

Vantawngkhawhtha la (approx. 250 meters), on the river Vanva, is the highest waterfall. The hills are dotted with idyllic lakes (dil), the famous being Tamdil, Palakdial and Rungdil. Geologically, the hills in Mizoram are comparatively young and mostly composed of soft sandstone and slate. The soil type generally found in the state is a clayey loam mixed with broken angular shale of varying sizes. Though there is a fair percentage of clay in the soil, the water holding capacity of the soil is very low and due to this, the topsoil becomes very dryduring winter. In the southern portion the soil is more clayey and deeperin the north. Due to the continuous washing away of the alkaline soil by the rainwater, the soil of Mizoram is generally acidic in nature but the soil in the plains is rich alluvial.

Mizoram has a pleasant climate, moderately warm in summer and not very cold in winter. Barring thwinter frost in some places, there is no snowfall on the hills of the state. Thtemperature ranges between 11° C to 21°C in winter and 20°C to 30° C in summer with heavy monsoon rain from May to September. The entire territory is under the direct influence of the monsoon. The average rainfall is 217.50 cm. per annum in Mizoram (Source:Statistical Handbook,

PEOPLE AND CULTURE 

The historians believe that the Mizos were a part of the great wave of the Mongolian race spilling over into the eastern and southern Asia centuries ago. They have yellowish skin colour, flat nose, broad face, straight hair, anmedium to short stature, comparatively long body and short legs. Their language belongs to Tibeto Burman family. The word Mizo is a generic term and literally means hill men or highlanders. Under this, there are various subgroups like Paite, Hmar, Mara, Lai, Luisei, Ralte, Ranglong, Bawm. Pang etcAll these groups have separate dialect, which are closely akin to each other.the most common language is Lusei and the dialect is known as Duhliantawng or Mizotawng, which is used as local official language in addition to English. The language has no script of its own, however sometime around 1894; the missionaries brought it to a written form in Roman script. Sincethen, the Christianity and education simultaneously spread far and wide over the whole Mizoram. Today the 95% population follows Christianity and the literacy rate is the highest in the country (95%). The present Mizo populatiis composed of fifteen broadly divided ethnic communities. There are two distinct cultural regions in the state, though the people live in the same natural environment. The first group follows the Mizo way of life,which ismostly governed by Christian ethic. The second group, consisting of Chakma,and a section of the Riang, follows a way of life, which is governed by mixture of the ideals of Buddhism and animism.

The Mizos also established a unique code of ethics Tlawmngaihna, which stands basically for selfless service for the people and others. It is a compelling moral force that requires a man to be hospitable,

ind, unselfish, courageous and helpful to the others. Some majorgroups like Paite, Hmar, Mara, Lai, Luisei, Ralte, Ranglong, Bawm. Pang etc have their own languages. All these groups haveThe language has no script of its own, however sometime around 1894; the missionaries brought it to a written form in Roman script. Sincethen, the Christianity and education simultaneously spread far and wide over the whole Mizoram. Today the 95% population follows Christianity and the literacy rate is the highest in the country (95%). The present Mizo populatiis composed of fifteen broadly divided ethnic communities. There are two distinct cultural regions in the state, though the people live in the same natural environment. The first group follows the Mizo way of life, which ismostly governed by Christian ethic. . The spirit of Hhnatlang combined with Tlawmngaihna makes it mandatory for the Mizos to render all possible hon occasions of marriage, public feast, accident and death. In spite of manychanges in the socio- cultural life of the Mizos, the spirit of Tlawmngaihna popularize and well fostered by the biggest voluntary organization in Mizoram called Young Mizo Association (YMA). This association has its headquarters in the capital city of Aizawl and branches in every locality and village in and outside Mizoram. One of the aims and objectives of the YMA is to preserve and promote Mizo culture through the spirit of Tlawmngor selfless service.

Mizo children on hand made vehicle (tawlailir)

Since 1899, when the Christianity was first introduced in Mizoram, many oldethnic religious and cultural practices have now been discarded. Mizos embraced the new faith with such dedication that it brought a tremendous change in their thought process and social life. Present Mizo society, both

like Christmas and New Year have become popular. Recently, the government of Mizoram understood the importance of the traditional festival and set up a separate wing in the education department just to revive their traditional festivals, music and songs. Agriculture is the major of the people of Mizoram. Shifting cultivation (Jhumming) is pre-dominantly practiced in Mizoram, which has degraded the natural forests of Mizoram to a very large extent. Presently, efforts are on to wean away the farmers from the destructive practice of Jhumming and adopt new and sustainable agricultural practices. Though a late starter in the sphere of development, a greater part of Mizoram

is undergoing rapid progress with the objective of gaining lost grounds and

progressing along with the rest of the country.

 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

The geographical location and the rugged topography have blessed Mizoram with unique natural environment. The state situated in the transitional region of tropical and temperate environment is also bestowed with hills having steep slopes, deep valleys, rivers, natural lakes, plains etc. thus creating varied ecosystems in a relatively small region. The forests of Mizoram could be broadly classified as: North – Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest South – Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest East – Subtropical Pine Forest (mixed with broad leaved species)

SOCIO-ECONOMICS

Mizos are the products of primary societies and confederations of tribes

without any strong economic and professional foundation. They have little

background and training even as traders and merchants. Manufacturing was

unknown. However, in spite of various geographical and socio-political

andicaps, Mizos have advanced considerably on the socio-economic front.

ic potential of their natural resources, which their indigenous utilization of cane, bamboo, leaves, herbs andother forest products for their needs.  Thus the Mizos applied their genius just to meet their own requirements. Asmall trade use to be carried out with the neighbouring tribes in cotton, wax, cane and bamboo. In the absence of economic infrastructure and other manufacturing agencies, agriculture continues to be the main occupation of about 90 % of peopMizoram. The 1961 census revealed the poor economic condition of Mizoramwhile it was one of the districts of Assam. It contributed only 1.5 % of the state’s income. The total income of Mizoram district was estimated at Rs. 5.36 crores of which 77 % came from agriculture, 1% from mining and manufacturing, 5.6 % from commerce, transport etc., 13 % from Pservices and the balance from the other services. The per capita incoat Rs. 206/- then. The situation has improved quite a lot today. However, major economy is stbased on Agriculture and Government Service sector. The agriculturalis passing through a lot of transformation. The farmers are being motivataccept the latest technologies for agriculture. The agriculture is also being industrialised to enable agriculture products to be exported in turn giving

table and profitable income to the farmers.

The backwardness is attributed pychological alienation, lack of mineral resources, and distance from the mainland India and communication bottlenecks. For the first time Industrial Policy of Mizoram was announced in 1989. The new industrial policy 200 will accelerate the pace of industrial development in the State. The state government is following the policy of setting up Industrial

Estates and Industrial Growth Centre. The major industrial growth is likely to be in the sector of agro industries li e food processing units, meat processing units, handloom and handicrafts, sericulture, spices etc. Experimentation in tea and coffee cultivation is also going on. Passion fruit juice is likely to become a major income earner soon. The state government has established various independent corporations to look after the interests of these sectors.

Jhumming cultivation in Mizoram