pop (2001e) 1 988 600; area 16 527 km²/6379 sq mi. State in NE India; administrative centre, Kohima; governed by a 60-member State Assembly; rice, sugar cane, pulses, forestry, weaving; former territory of Assam; became a state in 1961; strong movement for independence amongst Naga tribesmen; talks with the Naga tribes underground movement resulted in the Shillong Peace Agreement, 1975.
| Nagaland | |
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Capital - Coordinates |
Kohima - 25.4° N 94.08° E |
| Largest city | Dimapur |
|
Population (2001) - Density |
1,988,636 (24th) - 120/km² |
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Area - Districts |
16,579 km² (25th) - 11 |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
|
Establishment - Governor - Chief Minister - Legislature (seats) |
1963-12-01 - Shyamal Datta - Neiphiu Rio - Unicameral (60) |
| Official language(s) | English |
| Abbreviation (ISO) | IN-NL |
| Website: nagaland.nic.in | |
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Seal of Nagaland |
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Nagaland (Hindi: नागालैंड) pronunciation (help·info) is the farthest-lying state in northeast India. It borders the states of Assam and Manipur to the west, Arunachal Pradesh to the northeast, and Myanmar to the east. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur. With a population of nearly two million people, it has a total area of 16,579 km - making it one of the smallest states of India.
History
The early history of Nagaland is largely undocumented and unknown. The Naga tribes had socio-economic and political links with tribes in Assam and Myanmar - even today a large population of Naga inhabits Assam. Sectarian and political violence increased throughout the state - extremist groups damaged government and civil infrastructure, and attacked government officials and Indians from other states. In 1957, the Government began diplomatic talks with representatives of Naga tribes, and the Naga Hills district of Assam and the Tuensang frontier were united in a single political entity that became a Union territory - directly administered by the Central government with a large degree of autonomy. This was not satisfactory to the tribes, however, and soon agitation and violence increased across the state - methods of protest included attacks on Army and government institutions, as well as civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes. In July 1960, a further political accord was reached at the Naga People's Convention that Nagaland should become a constituent and self-governing state in the Indian union.
Geography and climate
Nagaland is largely a mountainous state. Mount Saramati at an elevation of 12,552 feet above sea level is the state's highest peak - this is where the Naga Hills merge with the Patkai Range in Myanmar. Rivers such as the Doyang and Dhiku to the north, the Barak river in the southwest and the Chindwin river of Myanmar in the southeast, dissect the entire state. Populations of rhinoceroses, foxes, civet cats, tigers, wild dogs, pangolins, porcupines, elephants, leopards, bears, many species of monkeys, sambar, deers, oxen and buffaloes thrive across the state's forests. The Great Indian Hornbill is one of the most famous birds found in the state. Small segments of the population converse in Assamese, while English, the official state language is widely spoken. The census of 2001 recorded the state's Christian population at 1,790,349 (90.02% of the state's population), making it one of the three Christian-majority states in India, and the only state where Christians form 90% of the population. The state has a very high church attendance rate in both urban and rural areas. Among Christians, Baptists are the predominant group constituting more than 80% of the state's population. In fact Nagaland is known as "the most Baptist state in the world." Hindus and Muslims constitute the non-Naga populations of the state and form 7.7% and 1.8% of the population.
Administration
The Governor of Nagaland is the constitutional head of state, representative of the President of India. A 60-member Vidhan Sabha is the state legislature. Unlike most Indian states, Nagaland has been granted a great degree of state autonomy, as well as special powers and autonomy for Naga tribes to conduct their own affairs.
| Districts Dimapur Kiphire Kohima Longleng Mokokchung Mon Peren Phek Tuensang Wokha Zunheboto | Major Urban centres Dimapur-Chumukedima - 220,000 Greater Kohima - 93,000 Alichen-Mokokchung-DEF - 62,000 Wokha - 37,000 Tuensang - 30,000 |
Economy
Macro-economic trend
This is a chart of trend of gross state domestic product of Nagaland at market prices estimated by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation with figures in millions of Indian Rupees.
| Year | Gross State Domestic Product |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 1,027 |
| 1985 | 2,730 |
| 1990 | 6,550 |
| 1995 | 18,140 |
| 2000 | 36,790 |
Nagaland's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $1.4 billion in current prices.
Agriculture is the most important economic activity in Nagaland, with more than 90% of the population employed within it. However, Nagaland still depends on the import of food supplies from other states. Tourism is important, but largely limited owing to the state's geographic isolation and political instability in recent years.
Transport
Nagaland is largely dependent on a few all-weather roads to connect it with other states. Passing from Dimpar through Assam is a short stretch of the Northeast Frontier Railway - the only rail transport link in the state. The generation of power and electricity is conducted through diesel power stations, although more than 50% of Nagaland's electricity comes from Assam's hydroelectric power stations. Chromium, nickel, cobalt, limestone, low-grade coal and iron ore are mined across the state.
The establishment of industries in the state has been hampered by poor transportation and infrastructure.
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