Location: Covering an area of 1,628 sq. km, Wokha is located in the mid western part of Nagaland at 26.8° N Latitude and 94.18° E Longitude. It is bounded by Assam in the West and North, Kohima and Dimapur district in the South, Zunheboto in the East and Mokokchung in the North-East. In terms of area, it represents 9.82 per cent of the total area of the state of Nagaland (16,579 sq.km) and occupies the 5th place among the eleven districts of the state.
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A fisherman makes his way across the Doyang River. (Photo: Wokha.nic.in)[/caption]
During the colonial British administration, in 1876, Wokha was designated as the District Headquarter of Naga Hill under Assam before it was shifted to Kohima and it became as Sub – Division. Later, in 1889, the Sub - Division was shifted to Mokokchung and again became a sub-division in the year 1957, when Mokokchung became a District through the creation of erstwhile Naga Hill Tuensang Area. In December 1973, Wokha was raised to the status of a separate District.
History and people:
Wokha is amalgamation of two words in Lotha langauage, ‘Wo or Owe’ meaning ‘number of people’ and ‘Kha’ meaning ‘Counting.’ Thus, Wokha literally means ‘head count’ or ‘census.’ The district is dominantly inhabited by Lothas (also referred to as Kyong Nagas), who are the indigenous inhabitants of the district.
Many stories regarding the early stages of migration of the Nagas point to Khezhakenoma village which falls under Phek district and Lothas are among them. According to this narrative, they were among the group of Nagas that settled at Khezhakenoma in the south of Nagaland where they were believed to have owned a magic stone known to them as Phitsson Long (Phi- spread, tsson- increase and Long- stone) where a head load of paddy spread over and basked on the surface of the stone in the morning, doubled itself in the afternoon. (Census 2011)
Like other Naga tribes, the Lothas are also known for their colourful dance forms, folk songs and festivals. The grandest among such festivals is the post harvest ‘Tokhu Emong’ celebrated in November. Other festivals related to agriculture are celebrated throughout the year. The first being ‘Pikhüchak’ heralding the onset farming cycle by giving licenses for clearing Jhum fields. The second called ‘Orhyu Even’ or ‘Mojühkurum’ or seed sowing festival where the fields are declared ready for seed sowings. The third is ‘Mvüthan Ratsen,’ an event for clearing footpath of the fields and finally the ‘Himshi Edak’ or ‘Ethan Etso’ which grants license for harvesting. Lothas are also known to be charming and vivacious host, candid and hospitable to all visitors. Most hilltop villages of the Lothas are constellated with ancient stone monoliths (Longsu)
Vital Statistics: According to the official Census 2011 data, Wokha district had a population of 166,343 of which there were 84,505 males and 81,838 female and constituting 8.41 of the State population. This translates its density of population (person per kilometer) at 102. The district has sex ratio (female population per 1000 males) at 968. The overall literacy rate of the district was at 87.69% with 90.81% for male and 84.48 % for female is the second highest in the state.
The district has 153 villages in census 2011 out of which 151 villages are inhabited and 2 uninhabited. Wokha is the only statutory town of the district and came into existence in 1981.
Administration: The district is administered by a Deputy Commissioner under whom there are administrative circles each headed by either an Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Sub-Divisional Officer(Civil) or Extra Assistant Commissioner.
The administrative circles are Changpang, Aitepyong, Bhandari, Baghty, Sungro, Sanis, Lotsu, Ralan, Wozhuro, Wokha Sadar, Chukitong and Englan.
Wokha District is further divided into three broad mountain ranges: Wokha Range or Upper Ranch, which falls under the upper north eastern part of the district; Sanis Range or Middle Range, which covers the middle portion of the district; and Bhandari Range or Lower Range which is the outer most part of the district and extends from the Japu Range of Mokokchung District gradually sloping down to the plains of Golaghat District of Assam.
Flora and Fauna:
Wokha is a land of beautiful, mountain ranges and rivers and is known for their vibrant dances and folk songs. Some noteworthy hills here are Mount Tiyi and Totsu Cliff.
Doyang is the largest river in the District and there is a Hydro Electric Station with a capacity of 75MW called Doyang Hydro Project which is located across the Doyang River. The most important valleys are Baghty and Tehurang. Baghty is in lower range and is comparatively big and the land there is fertile. Tehurang valley is also in lower range and is in Akok – Mekokla area. The modern system of cultivation like terrace is being carried out successfully, especially in two particular areas near Pangti village called “Pofu hayi” and “Tentsu hay”. Besides vegetables, and fruits such as banana, pineapple papaya etc.are abundantly and luxuriantly grown in those two area
Doyang (locally called Pofu), Chubi and Nzhu are the most important and are perennial in nature. Liphanyan Governor’s Camp and Totsu Wozhu Lake is some important tourist spot.
Did you know?
- Pangti is the village with highest population at 7,825 persons while Changpang Hq at 13 persons had the lowest population in the district according to 2011 census.
- Pangti, one of the Amur falcons fitted with satellite tracking chip in Doyang, has completed two cycles covering a distance of 40000 KM while another, Naga, is about to complete a third cycle - a distance of 60000 KM. Wokha with satellite have now been rendered inactive.
- Mount Tiyi is a hill associated with “supernatural legends” and is believed to be “the abode of departed souls”
