| Mizoram
Geographical Area : 21081
Population in 2001 : 8 88 573
Estimated population in 2025 : 11 55 000
Provisional Numbers in Census 2011
Mizoram population as percentage of India : 0.09%
Population in 2011 : 10 91 014
Males 5 52 339
Females 5 38 675
Sex ratio : 975
Under 6 Sex ratio : 971
Number of Districts : 9
Number of habitated villages : 707
Capital
Aizawl
Principal Languages
Mizo and English
History and Geography
Mizoram is a mountainous region which became the 23rd state of the
Indian Union in February 1987. It was one of the districts of Assam
till 1972 when it became a Union Territory. After being annexed
by the British in 1891, for the first few years, Lushai Hills in
the north remained under Assam while the southern half remained
under Bengal. Both these parts were amalgamated in 1898 into one
district called Lushai Hills District under the Chief Commissioner
of Assam. With the implementation of the North-Eastern Reorganisation
Act in 1972, Mizoram became a Union Territory and as a sequel to
the signing of the historic memorandum of settlement between the
Government of India and the Mizo National Front in 1986, it was
granted statehood on 20 February 1987. Sandwiched between Myanmar
in the east and the south and Bangladesh in the west, Mizoram occupies
an area of great strategic importance in the north-eastern corner
of India. Mizoram has great natural beauty and an endless variety
of landscape. It is rich in fauna and flora.
The origin of the word 'Mizo' is not known. The Mizos came under
the influence of the British Missionaries in the 19th Century. Now
most of the Mizos are Christians. Mizo language has no script of
its own. The missionaries introduced the Roman script for the Mizo
language and formal education. Literacy in the state has grown rapidly,
and Mizoram literacy at 88.8 per cent today, is the second highest
in the country. The State government is striving hard to attain
the top position in the near future.
About 80 per cent of the people of Mizoram are engaged in agricultural
pursuits. The main pattern of agriculture followed is Jhum or Shifting
cultivation. Of the total 21 lakh ha. of land estimated, 6.30 lakh
hectares of land is available for cultivation of horticulture crops.
The existing area under different horticulture crops account for
about 4127.6 hectares, which is only 6.55 per cent of the estimated
potential area. This indicates the vast scope for horticulture crops
to flourish in Mizoram. The main horticulture crops are Mandarin
Orange, Banana, Passion Fruit, Grapes, Hatkora, Pineapple, Papaya,
etc., and flowers like Anthurium, Bird of Paradise, Orchid, Chrysanthemum,
Rose and other subsidiary seasonal flowers. Spices like Ginger,
Turmeric, Black Pepper and Bird's eye Chillies are also grown. People
have also started extensive cultivation of oil palm, medicinal and
aromatic plants.
Irrigation
The ultimate surface irrigation potential is estimated at 70,000
hectares of which 45,000 hectares is under flow and 25,000 hectares
by construction and 70 pucca minor irrigation projects and six lift
irrigation projects for raising double and triple crops in a year
are nearing completion.
Industry
The entire Mizoram is a Notified Backward Area and was categorised
under 'No Industry District' in mid seventies. With the announcement
of State Industrial Policy 1989, few modern small-scale industries
have come up during the past decade. To further accelerate growth
of industries, a New Industrial Policy of Mizoram was announced
in the year 2000. The Policy identified thrust areas like Electronics
and Information Technology, Bamboo and Timber based products, Food
and Fruit Processing, Textiles, Handloom and Handicrafts, etc.
In order to attract investment from outside the State, the Policy
permits joint venture for all large, medium and small scale industries
with local partners. Infrastructural development like Industrial
Growth Centre (IGC) at Luangmual, Aizawl, Export Promotion Industrial
Park (EPIP) at Lengte, Integrated Infrastructural Development Centre
(IIDC) at Pukpui, Lunglei and Food Park at Chhingchhip are nearing
completion, apart from upgradation of the existing industrial estates.
Scientific cultivation of tea has also been taken up. Establishment
of Apparel Training and Design Centre, Gems cutting and polishing
are in the pipeline to encourage setting up of Export Oriented Units
(EOUs). Of the cottage industries, Handloom and Handicrafts are
given high priority and the two sectors are flourishing to meet
consumers demand in the State and in the neighbouring states of
Meghalaya, Nagaland, etc. to meet consumers demand in the state
and in the neighbouring states of Meghalaya, Nagaland, etc.
With the opening up of border trade with Myanmar and Bangladesh,
and the 'Look East Policy' of the Government of India coupled by
peaceful condition of the State, Mizoram will no more be a remote
corner State of the country, and as a result of which industrialisation
will substantially gain momentum in the near future.
Agriculture
About 80 per cent of the people of Mizoram are engaged in agricultural
pursuits. The main pattern of agriculture followed is Jhum or Shifting
cultivation. Of the total 21 lakh ha. of land estimated, 6.30 lakh
hectares of land is available for cultivation of horticulture crops.
The existing area under different horticulture crops account for
about 4127.6 hectares, which is only 6.55 per cent of the estimated
potential area. This indicates the vast scope for horticulture crops
to flourish in Mizoram. The main horticulture crops are fruit crops
viz. Mandarin Orange, Banana, Passion Fruit, Grapes, Hatkora, Pineapple,
Papaya, etc., and flowers like Anthurium, Bird of Paradise, Orchid,
Chrysanthemum, Rose and other subsidiary seasonal flowers. Spices
like Ginger, Turmeric, Black Pepper and Bird's eye Chillies are
also grown. People have also started extensive cultivation of oil,
palm, medicinal and aromatic plants.
Power
Construction of Tuirial HEP (60 MW) is in progress. Survey and investigation
works of Kolodyne HEP (500 MW) has been completed by CWC. This project
provides inland water transport facilities for the region besides
generating 500 MW of power and the Government of Mizoram has given
paramount importance to it. 3 MW capacity Tuipanglui and Kau-Tlabung
SHPs were commissioned recently thus enhancing the state's hydro
generation by 15 MW capacity. Works on Maicham-II (3MW), Serlui
'B' (12MW) and Lamsial (0.5 MW) SHPs are in progress and expected
to be commissioned during 2007.
A Total of 695 villages have been electrified and 709 km of 132
kv line completed.
Transport
Total road length in the State is 5,982.25 km (BRO & State PWD).
Rail link in the state has been established at Bairabi. Aizawl is
connected by air. In order to have a better connectivity, the Government
has undertaken the Mizoram State Roads Projects with a total cost
of Rs.350 crore under funds provided by the World Bank. Connectivity
under PMGSY covering a total length of 2,421 km connecting 384 villages
of Mizoram is making steady progress.
Festivals
Mizos are basically agriculture oriented. All their activities centre
around jhum cultivation and their festivals are linked with such
agricultural operations. Kut is the Mizo term for festival. Among
the various cultural festivals, only three viz. Chapchar Kut, Mim
Kut & Thalfavang Kut are observed today.
Tourist Centres
Aizawl, located at nearly 4,000 ft. above sea level, is a religious
and cultural centre of Mizoram. Champhai is a beautiful resort on
the Myanmar border. Tam Dil, a natural lake with virgin forests,
is 80 km from Aizawl and 10 km from Tourist Resort of Saitual. Vantawng
Falls, 5 km from the town of Thenzawl, is the highest and most beautiful
waterfall in Mizoram. The department of Tourism has opened Tourist
Lodges in all the bigger towns all over the State, and Highway Restaurants
and Travellers' Inns in other townships. There is also a Recreational
Centre at Beraw Tlang, Aizawl and Alpine Picnic Hut at District
Park near Zobawk.
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