Location:
Kiphire District having a total Area of 1,130 sq. Kms, is located in the eastern most part of the State bordering Myanmar at 25°54'North latitude and 94°47'East longitude. In terms of area, at 6.82% of the total area of Nagaland, it is the 9th biggest district of the State. It is bounded by Tuensang District in the north; Phek District in the south; Zunheboto in the west; and Myanmar in the east. Wedged between Saramati, the highest mountain in the state and the Jingkhu Mountains, Kiphire town- the district headquarter, is located at an elevation of 896.42 meters above the mean sea level.
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A bee harvester from Khonjiri village in Mt Saramati Range under Kiphire district engaged in rock bee harvesting[/caption]
History and people:
The areas under Kiphire district were part of the 'North Eastern Frontier Agency" (NEFA) as part of the Tuensang area which remained untouched by the British colonial administration even after its neighbouring areas were subjugated during the 1920s. Though it was included within the category of Naga tribal areas under Assam and placed under political control, practically, there was neither sign of political control nor any administration till the transfer of power in 1947.
Accordingly, an Administrative headquarter was established at Kiphire on June 16, 1952 from which the present Kiphire town took its shape. Kiphire remained under Tuensang district as an administrative sub-division till it was bifurcated from Tuensang district formally created through Government of Nagaland, transferring 7 administrative circles from Tuensang district: Seyochung; Amahator; Kiphire Sadar; Kiusam; Sitimi; Longmatra; and Pungro. It was inaugurated as the eleventh district of Nagaland on January 24, 2004. Thereafter, a new administrative circle namely, Khongsa was carved out of Pungro taking the total to 8 (eight) circles.
Kiphire is multi-ethnic in terms of its indigenous population. There are officially three recognized tribes - Sangtam, Yimchungru, and Sumi. Besides these, there are several sub-tribes speaking various languages. Owing to the many generations of co-habitation, all these ethnic and linguistic groups understand each others' language and the people often converse interchangeably.
Important festivals in the district are - Mongmong celebrated in September by the Sangtam; Metemneo celebrated in August by the Yimchungru; and Tuluni and Ahuna celebrated in July and November respectively by the Sumi.
All the three tribal communities have close social and cultural affinity with their counterparts in the districts of Zunheboto and Tuensang. The Sangtam and the Yimchungru tribes of Kiphire and Tuensang district have a shared history and culture. Similarly, the Sumi of Kiphire district also shares similar socio-cultural ties with the Sumi of Zunheboto district.
Vital Statistics:
During Census 2011, the district had 8 Administrative Circles, 1(one) Statutory Town and 96 villages, out of which 6 were uninhabited. According to Kiphire District Administration, as of September 2013, there were 79 recognised villages in Kiphire.
In terms of population, it was placed as the second least populated district in Nagaland with a total population of 74,004 persons (Males 37,830, Females 36,174), translating to total sex ratio (Number of females per 1000 males) at 956. The Density of Population (Persons per sq Km.) was 65.
The literacy rate in the district was at 69.54% with 74.88% and 63.96% for male and female respectively.
The average size of household was at 4. Pungro Hq having a population of 4744 was the village with highest population while Tsar Farm at 23 person was the village with lowest population.
Flora and Fauna:
Kiphire is located in one of the most geo-morphologically interesting zones of the state. There are a number of topographical features such as Saramati peak, Stone cave in Khongjiri, Mimi and Salomi villages which never fail to amaze the visitors.
With the majority of the people living in the rural villages, agriculture remains the main occupation of the people of the district. The primary mode of agricultural practice is jhum and main crops grown are largely traditional crops such as upland rice, maize, millet and jobs tears and varieties of beans.
With the temperature ranging from minimum of 2.7 degree Celsius to maximum of 37.0 degree Celsius, the general climatic condition of the district is also favourable for horticultural farming.
In colder regions such as the foothills of Saramati Mountain, apples are grown in abundance such that, 'Apple Festival' has become an annual fixture in Thanamir, a frontier village bordering Myanmar. Other fruits like orange, mango, guava, and banana are also grown abundantly.
Important rivers include Likhimro, Züngki, Tizü which flows into the Chindwin River in Myanmar. Other important locations include mining locations in Pokphur and adjoining areas, Fakim Wild Life Sanctuary, proposed International Trade Centre at Mimi and Likhimro Hydro Project . Blyth's Tragopan (Tragopanblythii), Hornbill, and hill peacocks are among some of the attractions of the wild life in Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary.
A number of traditional houses with stone slates which are rare sights in other parts of the State are seen in Phuvkiu, Mimi, Pongren, Phelungre and Pungro villages.
A good variety of Orchids like Blue and Red Vanda, white, red and yellow Rhododendron which are not commonly found in other parts of the State are also found in Saramati and Jingkhu mountains.
Under Pungro sub-division, there are numerous limestone caves such as in Salomi, Mimi and some other villages. Many limestone caves of the district are yet to be explored and understood.
Administration:
The district is looked after by a Deputy Commissioner under whom there are 8(eight) administrative circles each headed by either an EAC or ADC.
The administrative circles are: Kiphire Sadar, Seyochung, Amahator, Kiusam, Sitimi, Longmatra, Pungro and Khongsa. While Pungro and Seyochung are administrated under ADC, the other circles are under an EAC, except Kiphire Sadar headed by the Deputy Commissioner. The district has 3 (three) Rural Development Blocks: Sitimi, Kiphire and Pungro.
According to Nagaland Police Directory, the district have 2 police station - Kiphire P.S and Pungro P.S., while there is a police outpost at Seyochung .
Did you know?
- The history of apples in Thanamir dates back to 1981 when Youngphukhiung, a GB presented wild boar meat to Assam Rifles jawans posted in Thanamir, who in exchange gave him four apples. He planted the seeds in his backyard and later distributed grafts to fellow villagers. Now pples are grown in abundance such that, 'Apple Festival' has become an annual fixture in Thanamir.
- The Mimi and Khonjiri area is famous for rock bee sites and according to locals, there are more than 20 rock bee sites in this side of the border with a single site containing 80-140 bee hives.
Source: Census 2011, Kiphire District Human Development Report, Kiphire.nic.in
