India States - Mizoram

Mizoram is a state in northeastern India. Its population at the 2001 census stood at 888,573. Mizoram boasts a literacy rate of 88.8 percent—the second highest among all the states of India, after Kerala.Some 87 percent of the population (including almost all ethnic Mizos) is Christian, mostly Presbyterian and Baptist. This Christian heritage is shared by a majority in the nearby states of Nagaland and Meghalaya, and by a large minority in neighbouring Manipur.Mizoram, the Land of the Highlanders, is sandwiched between Myanmar, Bangladesh and the states of Tripura, Assam and Manipur. The rivers, peaks, plains and the lakes are the treasures of Mizoram. It is full of high ranges running from north to south covered by greenery throughout the year. The scenic beauty of the hill ranges and river valleys during dry season, the rolling clouds mixed with thundering sound followed by heavy rains, slowly moving across the hills and valleys, during rainy season are the sights of unforgettable pleasure.

Mizoram has been taking several initiatives to implement the National e-Governance Programme which primarily aims at improving the quality, accessibility and effectiveness of government services to citizens and businesses on a national scale with the help of IT. An apex committee headed by the chief secretary has been created to formulate and monitor the progress of mission mode projects under the NeGP in the state.The hilly state of Mizoram is one of the youngest states in the Indian Union, having been conferred statehood in February 1987. It consists of steep hill ranges, separated from one another by narrow valleys. It is predominantly an agrarian state like most of the other states of the North East with more than 70% of its population engaged in agriculture. The present state of the economy is far from satisfactory with very less improvement in the agricultural productivity level. Handloom and handicrafts are the other traditional means of livelihood. The bamboo products of Mizoram are very famous. The per capita income of Mizoram is above the national average. However, the state is not self-sufficient and depends heavily on Central Govt. assistance like most of the North Eastern states. Mizoram has the advantage that it shares borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar. With the opening up of border trade, the state would be able to be a major business hub. In terms of infrastructure, it is still very poor with an index of 63 (according to CMIE in 1992-93) with reference to the national average of 100.

Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary - The Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in South-Western Mizoram. It is close to Indo-Myanmar and Indo-Bangladesh border. The total area of the Sanctuary is 110 Sq. Km. and ranges in altitude from 200m to about 1200m msl. The wild animals found in this Sanctuary are Tiger, Clouded leopard, Elephant, Guar, Barking deer, Sambar, Wild boar, Hoolock Gibbon, Rhesus macaque, Leaf monkey, Common langur, etc. Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary - The Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary is situated approximately 170 km from Aizawl. It covers an area of about 35 Sq. Km. and ranges in altitude from 400m to 1300m. Animals commonly found here are Wild boars etc. Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary - The Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Eastern part of Mizoram adjacent to Murlen National Park. The approximate area of the Sanctuary is 60 Sq. Km. and ranges in altitude from 400m to about 2300m above msl. Within this park is the second highest Peak in Mizoram. The important wild animals and birds found in this Sanctuary are Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Ghoral, Serrow, Hume's Bartailed Pheasant, Kaleej Pheasant, Barking deer, Wild boar, Hoolock gibbon, Rhesus macaque, etc. Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary - The Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary is situated approximately 240 km from Aizawl via Thenzawl village in the Western Part of Mizoram and is adjacent of Dampa. The Sanctuary acts as a corridor for elephants which migrate from Bangladesh. The area of this Sanctuary is 50 Sq. Km. Important animals found in this Sanctuary are Tiger, Leopard, Hoolock gibbon, Leaf Monkey, Sambar, Barking Deer, and variety of Birds, etc.

Mizoram has an ancient and incredibly rich tradition with dances which reflect the amalgamation of centuries of cross-cultural inputs. The indigenous festivals of this beautiful state mirror it's diverse heritage during the celebration of the seasonal cycle of sowing and harvesting. Mizoram celebrates the festival of Thalfavang Kut every November. This festival is celebrated after the completion of weeding of the land in preparation for the forthcoming harvesting season. This festival also depicts the cultural heritage and the traditional games of the Mizo. It has given the community an opportunity to come together and renew old bonds and ties.At the end of February, when winter starts receding, the Mizos prepare the land for fresh planting. There are few days of relaxation before the serious business of sowing starts and that is when the Chapchar Kut festival is celebrated with gaiety and fervour. A spring festival, this is the most important festival and the only one regularly observed during the first week of March in Mizoram.