|
|
Indian Himalayan States
JAMMU & KASHMIR
Jammu &
Kashmir, located in the extreme north of the country, is situated between 320
17' and 370 5' N latitudes and 720 40' and 800
30' E longitudes. It is bounded on north by China, on east by Tibet, on
south by Himachal Pradesh and Punjab and on west by Pakistan. Geographically,
this state is divided into four zones – the mountainous and semi-mountainous
plain known as Kandi belt, hills including Siwalik ranges, mountains of Kashmir
valley and Pir Panjal range, and Tibetan tract of Ladakh and Kargil. The state
has a number of lakes, rivers, rivulets and glacial regions. The important
rivers of this state are Indus, Chenab and Sutlej (Jhelum). There are extreme variations
in climate in the state due to its location and topography.
The climate of the state
varies from tropical in Jammu plains to semi-arctic cold in Ladakh with Kashmir
and Jammu mountainous tracts having temperate climatic conditions. The
temperature of this state varies spatially. Leh is coldest and Jammu is the
hottest region in the state. In the winter nights, temperature goes down below
zero and very often heavy snowfall occurs during November to February. The
annual rainfall varies
from region to region with 92.6 mm in Leh, 650.5 mm in Srinagar and 1,115.9 mm
in Jammu. Geologically, the state represents constituted rocks varying from the
oldest period of the earth’s history to the youngest present day river and lake
deposits.
Jammu & Kashmir at a glance
|
Geographical area (km2)
|
2,22,236* |
|
Capital |
Srinagar |
|
Number of districts |
14 |
|
Population (2001) |
10,069,917 [Males: 53,00,574; Females:
47,69,343] |
|
Major languages |
Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu |
|
Status |
Ranks 6th in area and 18th
in population in India; 1st in area as well as population
among the IHR states |
|
Major rivers |
Indus, Chenab, Sutlej |
|
Forest cover (2001) |
9.56% of total geographical area |
|
National parks |
Hemis, Kistwar |
|
Major wildlife sanctuaries |
Changthang, Karakoram, Overa-Aru |
|
Rural population (2001) |
75.12% of total population |
|
Number of towns and villages including
un-inhabited villages (2001) |
75 and 6,652 |
|
Agricultural land (2001) |
4.7% of total geographical area |
|
Per capita income (NSDP) (1999-2000)
|
Rs. 7435/- (at 1993-94 prices) |
|
Population density (2001) |
99/km2 |
|
Birth rate (2000) |
16.9/thousand |
|
Death rate (2000) |
6.2/thousand |
|
Infant mortality rate |
45/thousand # |
|
Literacy rate (2001) |
54.46% [Male: 65.75%; Female: 41.82%] |
|
Sex ratio (2001) |
900 (females per 1000 males) |
|
Schedule Castes & Schedule Tribes population (%
in total population) |
7.59% and 10.9% |
|
Major tribal communities |
Balti, Beda, Boto, Brokpa, Drokpa, Chnagpa,
Garra, Mon, Purigpa, Gujjar, Bakarwal, Gaddi, and Sippi |
|
Number of Schedule Castes
Number of Schedule Tribes |
13
8 |
|
Major source of occupation |
Agriculture (80% of total occupation)
|
|
Major industries |
Handicrafts & handlooms |
*Included 78,114 and 37,555 km2
occupied by Pakistan and China, respectively, and 5,180 km2 handed
over by Pakistan to China
#Provisional
figure of 2002 from SRS, Office of the Registrar General of India, Ministry of
Home Affairs.
Top
HIMACHAL
PRADESH
 Himachal
Pradesh lies between the latitudes 30o 23' – 33 o 13' N
and longitudes 75 o 43' -79 o 4' E. The state is bounded
by Uttarakhand on the southeast, Tibet on the east, Punjab on the west and
southwest, Haryana on south and Jammu & Kashmir on the north. It is situated in
the northwest corner of the India; right in the lap of Himalayan ranges. The
altitudinal variation ranges between 460 meters to 6,600 meters above mean sea
level. The state is divided into three zones – the Siwaliks or the outer
Himalaya, the low mountains which have less altitude in comparison to great
mountains in the middle, and the zone of the Zanskar (high peaks of Himalaya).
Many parts of this state are snow bound from December to April.
Numerous
passes and glaciers are found in this state. Most important rivers of this state
are – Chenab (Chandrabhaga), Ravi (Iravati), Sutlej (Shatadru), Beas (Vipasa)
and Yamuna (Jamuna). The Chenab flows 122 km inside Himachal Pradesh before it
enters Jammu & Kashmir. Yamuna has a catchments area of 2,320 km2 in
Himachal Pradesh. The climate of northern part or the glacial region of this
state is almost cool throughout the year. In winter, snowfall continues until
March and could be as high as three meters on the average. The southern part has
similarity with the plains and varies from hot to sub-humid. The state
experiences cold season from October to middle of March, hot seasons from April
to June, and rainy season begins from July and goes upto September.
Himachal Pradesh at a glance
|
Geographical Area |
55,673 km2 |
|
Capital |
Shimla |
|
Number of districts |
12 |
|
Population (2001)
|
6,077,248 [Males:
30,85,256; Females: 29,91,992] |
|
Major language |
Hindi and Pahari |
|
Status |
Ranks 17th
in area and 20th in population in India; 3rd in area
as well as population among the IHR states |
|
Major rivers
|
Chenab, Ravi, Beas,
Sutlej and Yamuna |
|
Forest cover (2001) |
25.79% of total
geographical area |
|
National parks |
Pin Valley, Greater
Himalayan National Park |
|
Major wildlife
sanctuaries |
Dhauladhar, Kibber,
Kugti, Sangla, Pong lake, Nargu, Rupi Bhaba |
|
Rural population
(2001) |
90.21% |
|
Number of towns and
villages including un-inhabited villages (2001) |
57 and 20,118 |
|
Agricultural land
(2001) |
14.5% of total
geographical area |
|
Per capita income (NSDP)
(2000-01) |
Rs. 10942/- (quick
estimate) (at 1993-94 prices). |
|
Population density
(2001) |
109/km2 |
|
|
Birth rate (2000) |
22.1/thousand |
|
|
Death rate (2000)
|
7.2/thousand
|
|
|
Infant mortality
rate |
52/thousand # |
|
|
Literacy rate
(2001) |
75.91% [Male:
86.02%; Females: 68.08%] |
|
|
Sex ratio (2001) |
970 (females per
1000 males) |
|
|
Schedule Castes and
Schedule Tribes |
24.72% and 4.02% of
total population respectively |
|
|
Number of Schedule
Castes
Number of Schedule
Tribes |
56
8 |
|
|
Major tribal
communities |
Bhot or Bodh, Gaddi,
Gujjar, Jad, Kinnara, Lahaula, Pangwala, Swangla |
|
|
Major source of
occupation |
Agriculture (75% of
total occupation) |
|
|
Major industries
|
Agro-horticulture,
herbal, wool, sericulture and electronics |
|
|
|
|
|
|
#Provisional
figure of 2002 from SRS, Office of the Registrar General of India, Ministry of
Home Affairs.
Top
UTTARAKHAND
Uttarakhand is located between 28o 43'
– 31o 27'
N latitudes and 77o 34'
– 81o 02'
E longitudes. The river Tons separates the state from
Himachal Pradesh in the north-west, whereas the river Kali separates it from
Nepal in the east. The greater Himalaya is the northern boundary of the state
and is also the international boarder with China (Tibet). Foot-hills in the
south are bounded by Uttar Pradesh. Starting from the foot hills in the south,
the state extends upto the snow-clad peaks of the Himadri making the
Indo-Tibetan boundary. The region, being situated centrally in the long sweep of
the Himalaya, forms a transitional zone between the per-humid eastern and the
dry to sub-humid western Himalaya. Uttaranchal became the 27th state
of the Republic of India on 9 November 2000, latter on renamed as Uttarakhand in
January 2007. Historically, the state is believed to be the land where Vedas and
the Shastras were composed and the great epic, the Mahabharata, was written.
The average annual rainfall of the state, as
recorded in 1999, is 1,079 mm. With an altitudinal variation ranging from 200m
to more than 8,000m above mean sea level, the state comprises of five
lithotectonically and physiographically distinct subdivisions namely, the outer
Himalaya comprising Tarai and Bhabhar, sub-Himalayan belt of the Siwaliks, the
lesser Himalaya, the great Himalaya, and the trans-Himalaya or the Tethys. The
climate of the state is quite harsh particularly in winter when temperature goes
occasionally below freezing point in many of the subdivisions of the state.
Uttarakhand at a glance
|
Area (km2)
|
53,483 |
|
Capital
(provisional) |
Dehradun |
|
Number of districts |
13 |
|
Population (2001)
|
84,79,562 [Males:
43,16,401; Females: 41,63,101] |
|
Major language |
Hindi, Garhwali and
Kumauni |
|
Status
|
Rank 18th
in area and 19th in population in India; 4th in area
and 2nd in population among the IHR states |
|
Major rivers
|
Ganga, Yamuna,
Saraju, Kali |
|
Forest cover (2001) |
44.76% of total
geographical area |
|
National parks |
Gangotri, Nanda
Devi, Rajaji, Corbett, Govind, Valley of Flowers |
|
Major wildlife
sanctuaries |
Askot, Kedarnath,
Sonanadi, Binsar, Govind Pashu Vihar |
|
Rural population
(2001) |
74.41% of the total
population |
|
No. of towns and
villages including un-inhabited villages (2001) |
87 and 16,826 |
|
Agricultural land
(2001) |
14.25% of total
geographical area |
|
Per capita income
(1999-2000) |
Rs. 12,000 /-
|
|
Population density
(2001) |
159/km2 |
|
Birth rate (2000)
|
20.2/thousand
|
|
Death rate (2000)
|
6.9/thousand
|
|
Infant mortality
rate |
41/thousand # |
|
Literacy rate
(2001) |
72.28% [Male:
84.01%; Female: 60.26%] |
|
Sex ratio (2001)
|
964 (females per
1000 males) |
|
Schedule
Castes/Schedule Tribes |
17.87% and 3.02% of
total population respectively |
|
Number of Schedule
Cates
Number of Schedule
Tribes |
66
5 |
|
Major tribal
communities |
Tharu, Buksa,
Bhotia, Jaunsri and Raji |
|
Major source of
occupation |
Agriculture,
forestry |
|
Major industries
|
Tourism, medicinal
herb, handicrafts, handloom, agro-based industries, tea |
#Provisional
figure of 2002 from SRS, Office of the Registrar General of India, Ministry of
Home Affairs.
Top
SIKKIM
 Sikkim is
situated in the eastern Himalaya between 88o 03' - 88 o
57' E longitude and 27 o 03' - 28 o 07' N latitude. It is
a small mountain state bounded by Tibet on north, Nepal on west, Bhutan on east
and West Bengal on south. India’s highest mountain peak Kangchendzonga (8,579
m), which is world’s third highest peak, rises from this state. The state
extends to about 115 km from north to south and 65 km from west to east. Most of
the areas of the state are snow covered throughout the year. Its unique
geographical position, varied topography and high annual rainfall make the state
a treasure house of flowering plants.
The vegetation of tropical forests
occurring up to 900m consists of moist deciduous to semi-evergreen tree species.
Sikkim is famous for its orchids and harbours about 45% of orchid species found
in the country. Tista is the main river of the state, which divides the state
into north and south. The other rivers are - Lahen, Lachung, Rangit and Rangpo.
The climate of this state varies with the altitudes. The upper region is
extremely cold but the southern part is humid; similar to neighboring state West
Bengal. Because of its elevations, the rainfall in the state varies from 500 to
5,000 mm per year. Though Arctic conditions are quite common in the higher
elevations of the state, the temperature varies between as high as 30o
to below 0o C with relative humidity up to 95%.
Sikkim at a glance
|
Geographical area (km2)
|
7,096
|
|
Capital |
Gangtok |
|
Number of districts |
4 |
|
Population (2001)
|
5,40,493 [Males:
2,88,217; Females: 2,52,276] |
|
Major language |
Lepcha, Bhutia,
Nepali, Hindi and Limbu |
|
Status
|
Ranks 27th
in area and 28th in population in India; 11th in area
and the lowest in population among the IHR states |
|
Major rivers
|
Tista
|
|
Forest cover (2001) |
45% of total
geographical area |
|
National park |
Kangchendzonga |
|
Major wildlife
sanctuaries |
Barsey Rhododendron,
Fambong Lho |
|
Rural population
(2001) |
88.9% of total
population |
|
Number of towns and
villages including un-inhabited villages (2001) |
9 and 452 |
|
Agricultural land
(2001) |
16.1% of total
geographical area |
|
Per capita income (NSDP)
(1999-2000) |
Rs. 9816/- (at
1993-94 prices) |
|
Population density
(2001) |
76/km2 |
|
Birth rate (2000)
|
21.8/thousand
|
|
Death rate (2000)
|
5.7/thousand |
|
Infant mortality
rate |
34/thousand # |
|
Literacy rate
(2001) |
69.68% [Male:
76.73%; Female: 61.46%] |
|
Sex ratio (2001)
|
875 (females per
1000 males) |
|
Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes |
5.02% and 20.6% of
total population respectively |
|
Major tribal communities |
Bhutia (including
Chumbipa, Dopthapa, Dukpa, Kagatcy, Sherpa, Tromopa, Yolmo) and Lepcha |
|
Number of Schedule
Castes
Number of Schedule
Tribes |
4
2 |
|
Major sources of
occupation |
Agriculture
|
|
Major industries
|
Handloom,
handicrafts, tea and watches |
#Provisional figure of 2002 from SRS,
Office of the Registrar General of India, Ministry of Home Affairs.
Top
WEST BENGAL HILLS
West Bengal state of the
country is comprised of 19 districts. Only Darjeeling district forms the hill
region of West Bengal under Eastern Himalaya.
The eastern frontier of
the hill region lies along the rivers Tista and Rangit; beyond it is Rishi-La
and Bhutan. The lower regions of the Labyrinth hilly forest-clad ridges have
been cleared for the cultivation of world famous Darjeeling tea.
Darjeeling district lies
between 26o 31'
– 27o 13'
N latitudes and 87o 59'–
88o 53’'E
longitudes. The region is located in very strategic position of North Bengal,
which touches 3 international borders, viz. Nepal in west, Bhutan in north-east,
and Bangladesh in south-east; its northern and southern boundaries touch Indian
states Sikkim, West Bengal and Bihar, respectively. The altitude of the region
varies from 91m in the foot hills of West Bengal, the ‘Tarai’ region in the
south, to 3,657m high mountain in the north. The region receives
plenty of rains and has a wide range of climates from tropical to sub-alpine.
The forests in and around
Darjeeling have delightful flora and fauna. Four thousand species of flowering
plants, three hundred varieties of ferns including tree ferns and numerous types
of flowerless plants, mosses, algae, fungi, birches, and of course, the prize
orchids, wild and cultivated, are found in Darjeeling.
West Bengal hill at a glance
|
Geographical area
(km2) |
3,149 |
|
Population (2001)
|
16,05,900 [Males:
8,26,334; Females: 7,79,566] |
|
Language |
Nepali, Bengali,
Hindi |
|
Status
|
Smallest in terms
of area and 8th position in terms of population among the IHR
states/regions |
|
Major rivers
|
Tista, Jaldhaka,
Mahanadi, Balasan, Mechi, and Rangit |
|
Forest cover (2001)
|
69.74%
|
|
National parks |
Neora Valley,
Singhalila |
|
Major wildlife
sanctuaries |
Mahananda, Senchal |
|
Rural population
(2001) |
67.56% of total
population |
|
No. of inhabited
village |
620 |
|
Agricultural land
(2001) |
43.5% of total
geographical area |
|
Population density
(2001) |
510/ km2 |
|
Literacy rate
(2001) |
72.87% [Male:
81.28%; Female: 63.92%] |
|
Sex ratio (2001)
|
943 (females per
1000 males) |
|
Schedule Castes and
Schedule Tribes |
16.09% and 12.69%
of total population respectively |
|
Major tribal
communities of WB |
Baiga, Bhutia,
Birhor, Chakma, Garo, Gond, Ho, Lepcha, Magh |
|
Major source of
occupation |
Agriculture
|
|
Major industries
|
Tea, tourism
|
Top
MEGHALAYA
 Meghalaya
lies between 25° 1' – 26° 5' N latitudes and 85° 49' – 92° 52' E longitudes. The
state is bounded by Assam on its east, north and north-west and by Bangladesh on
the south and south-west. The Khasi hills and Jaintia hills, which form the
central and eastern parts of Meghalaya, respectively, are imposing plateaus with
rolling grasslands, hills and river valleys.
The southern face of the
plateaus is marked by deep gorges and abrupt slopes. Water falls rush down steep
slopes and carve deep valleys through which swift flowing rivers descend to the
plains. At the foot of these slopes, a narrow strip of plain land runs along the
international border with Bangladesh. The
state has a number of rivers but none of them are navigable; the major rivers
are Ildek, Dudnai, Krishnai, Jinari, Didak, Jinjiram, Mahadeo, Moheshkali and
Someshwari. The climate of the central and eastern Meghalaya is conducive
whereas in the western Meghalaya, except for the winter, it becomes oppressive.
Meghalaya is well known for its clouds and rainfall. The Mawsynram village
receives the world’s highest rainfall (earlier it was recorded at Cherrapunji in
the state) on the average of about 750 cm.
Meghalaya at a glance
|
Geographical area
(km2) |
22,429 |
|
Capital |
Shillong |
|
Number of districts |
7 |
|
Population (2001)
|
23,06,069 [Males:
11,67,840; Females: 11,38,229] |
|
Major language |
Khasi, Garo and
English |
|
Status
|
Ranks 22nd
in area and 23rd in population in India; 5th in area
and 6th in population among the IHR states |
|
Major rivers
|
Ildek, Dudnai,
Krishnai, Jinari, Didak, Jinjiram, Mahadeo, Moheshkali, Someshwari
|
|
Forest cover (2001) |
69.48% of total
geographical area |
|
National parks |
Nokrek, Balphakram |
|
Major wildlife
sanctuaries |
Nongkhyllum, Siju |
|
Rural population
(2001) |
80.37% of total
population |
|
Number of towns and
villages including un-inhabited villages (2001) |
16 and 6,034 |
|
Agricultural land
(2001) |
48.2% of total
geographical area |
|
Per capita income (NSDP)
(2001-02) |
Rs. 8827/-
(advanced estimate) (at 1993-94 prices) |
|
Population density
(2001) |
103/km2 |
|
Birth rate (2000)
|
28.5/thousand
|
|
Death rate (2000)
|
9.2/thousand |
|
Infant mortality
rate |
61/thousand # |
|
Literacy rate
(2001) |
63.31% [Male:
66.14%; Female: 60.41%] |
|
Sex ratio (2001)
|
975 (females per 1000 males) |
|
Schedule Castes and
Schedule Tribes |
0.48% and 85.94% of
total population respectively |
|
Number of Schedule
Castes
Number of Schedule
Tribes |
16
17 |
|
Major tribal
communities |
Chakma, Dimasa,
Garo, Hajong, Hmar, Khasi (Jaintia, Pnar, Bhoi, Lyngngam, War, Synteng)
Kuki ( with more than forty sub-tribes), Lakher, Man, Mikir, Pawl, Synteng,
Koch, Raba and Boro kachari |
|
Major Sources of
Income |
Agriculture (80% of
the total population depend on it) |
|
Major industries
|
Cement, small-scale
industries |
#Provisional
figure of 2002 from SRS, Office of the Registrar General of India, Ministry of
Home Affairs.
Top
ASSAM HILLS
Assam state of the country is comprised of 23 districts. Only two districts,
namely North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong, form the hill region of Assam under
Eastern Himalaya. The hill region lies between 25o 3'
– 26o 35'
N latitudes and 92o 10'
– 93o 50'
E longitudes. It is situated at the southern part of Assam and is bounded by
Nagaland and Manipur states on the east and Meghalaya on the west. The northern
part of the region touches Marigaon, Nagaon, and Golaghat districts of Assam,
while southern part is bound by Cachar district of the state. Most of the area
is covered by hills. The Thumjang (1,866 m)
is the highest peak in Borail range. Other peaks are - Hempeupet (1,748 m) and
Singhason (1,360 m). The plain areas consist of
valleys of the Jamuna, Kapili and Dhansiri rivers lying in its eastern part. The
forests depict a high amount of landscape heterogeneity promoting greater
bio-diversity. These forest areas are natural museums of living giant trees, a
treasure house of rare, endemic and endangered species and medicinal plants.
Due to variation in topography, the hill
region experiences change in climate in different parts. Rainfall varies from
2,200 – 2,700 mm and Borail range receives the heaviest rainfall in the region.
Assam
hills at a glance
|
Geographical area
(km2) |
15,322 |
|
Number of districts |
2 |
|
Population (2001)
|
9,98,509 [Males:
5,21,498; Females: 4,77,011] |
|
Major language |
Assamese |
|
Status
|
Ranks 9th
in area and 10th in population among the IHR states/regions
|
|
Major rivers
|
Jamuna, Kapili and
Dhansiri, Dehangi, Diyung, Jatinga, Jenam, Mahur, Langting |
|
Forest cover (2001)
|
79.82% |
|
Wildlife sanctuary |
Garampani |
|
Rural population
(2001) |
84.89% of total
population |
|
Number of villages
(2001) |
3,172 |
|
Agricultural land
(2001) |
10.5% of total
geographical area |
|
Population density
(2001) |
65/km2
|
|
Literacy rate
(2001) |
60.68% [Male:
69.75%; Female: 50.65%] |
|
Sex ratio (2001)
|
915 (females per
1000 males) |
|
Schedule Castes and
Schedule Tribes |
3.29% and 58.26% of
total population respectively |
|
Major tribal
communities of Assam |
Chakma, Dimasa,
Garo, Hajong, Hmar, Khasi, Kuki and its sub-tribes, Lakher, Mikir, man,
Pawl, Synteng |
|
Major source of
occupation |
Agriculture
|
|
Major industries |
Handloom,
handicrafts, tea |
Dispur (Guwahati); the capital of Assam is about
260 km from Diphu (Karbi Anglong) and about
368
km from Haflong (North Cachar hills) of Assam hills.
Top
TRIPURA
 Tripura lies
between 22o 56' – 24o 32' N latitudes and 90o
09' – 92o 20' E longitudes. It is one of the remotest northeastern
states of India and is bounded on three sides by Bangladesh (about 84%
international border) and on northeast by Assam and Mizoram. It is strategically
situated between the river valleys of Myanmar and Bangladesh. The state has
hills and sub-mountains in the central and eastern region. The main rivers of
the state are - Gumti, Manu, Dhalai and Khowai. The other rivers are: Juri,
Langai, Deo, Surma, Raima, Laogang and Mukari, etc. The state’s climate is
tropical moist or warm and humid and temperature varies from 10oC to
35oC. The rainfall varies from 1,811 mm (at Sonamura) to 2,855 mm (at
Kamalpur) with annual average of 2,100 mm in the state.
Tripura at a glance
|
Geographical area
(km2) |
10,486
|
|
Capital |
Agartala |
|
Number of districts |
4 |
|
Population (2001)
|
31,91,168 [Males:
16,36,138; Females: 15,55,030] |
|
Major language |
Bengali and
Kakborak |
|
Status
|
Ranks 26th
in area and 21st in population in India; 10th in
area and 4th in population among the IHR states
|
|
Major rivers
|
Gumti, Manu, Dhalai,
Khowai |
|
Forest cover (2001)
|
67.38% of total
geographical area |
|
Major wildlife
sanctuaries |
Gumti, Trishna |
|
Rural population
(2001) |
82.98% of the total
population |
|
Number of towns and
villages including un-inhabited villages (2001) |
23 and 870 |
|
Agricultural land
(2001) |
29.6% of total
geographical area |
|
Per capita income (NSDP)
(2001-02) |
Rs. 6813/- (quick
estimate) (at 1993-94 prices). |
|
Population density
(2001) |
304/km2
|
|
Birth rate (2000)
|
16.5/thousand
|
|
Death rate (2000)
|
5.4/thousand |
|
Infant mortality
rate |
34/thousand # |
|
Literacy rate
(2001) |
73.66% [Male:
81.47%; Female: 65.41%] |
|
Sex ratio (2001)
|
950 (females per
1000 males) |
|
Schedule Castes and
Schedule Tribes |
17.37% and 31.05%
of total population respectively |
|
Number of Schedule
Castes
Number of Schedule
Tribes |
32
19 |
|
Major tribal
communities |
Bhil, Bhutia,
Chaima, Chakma, Garoo, Halam, Jamatai, Khasia and Kuki (with more than
twenty sub-tribes) |
|
Major source of
occupation |
Agriculture
|
|
Major industries
|
Handloom,
handicrafts, tea |
#Provisional
figure of 2002 from SRS, Office of the Registrar General of India, Ministry of
Home Affairs.
Top
MIZORAM
 Mizoram lies
between 210 58' - 240 35' N latitudes and 920
15' - 930 29' E longitudes. The state is bounded by Tripura and
Bangladesh on its west, the Chin hills of Myanmar on its east and south, and by
Manipur and Assam on its north. Mizoram is a land of rolling hills, rivers and
lakes. As many as 21 hill ranges of different heights run through the length and
breadth of the state. The terrain has variegated topography, extremely rugged
leaving some plains scattered in the state. Hills in the state extend from north
to south with an inclination to be higher in east to the territory and tapering
in the north and south. The average height of the hills is about 900 m. Blue
Mountain is the highest peak (2,210 m) of the state. Mizoram has an abundance of
trees, bushes, plants, shrubs and grasses. There are many rivers in the state
and some of them are the Tlawng, Tuirail, Tuiwal, and Koladyne. The climate of
the state exhibits a strong seasonal rhythm. Normally the state has four seasons
– winter, pre-monsoon, monsoon and retreating monsoon. Annual rainfall varies
from a minimum of 100 cm to a maximum of 300 cm with an average of 250 cm.
Mizoram has the distinction of having the highest percentage (94.46%) of its
total population as scheduled tribe population in the country.
Mizoram at a glance
|
Geographical area
(km2) |
21,081 |
|
Capital |
Aizawl |
|
Number of districts |
8 |
|
Population (2001)
|
8,91,058 [Males:
4,59,783; Females: 4,31,275] |
|
Major language |
Mizo and English |
|
Status
|
Ranks 24th
in area and 27th in population in India; 7th in area
and 11th in population among IHR states |
|
Major rivers
|
Tlawng, Tuirail,
Tuiwal, Koladyne |
|
Forest cover (2001) |
82.98% of total
geographical area |
|
National parks |
Murlen, Phowngpui
Blue Mountain |
|
Major wildlife
sanctuaries |
Dampa, Langtang,
Ngengpui |
|
Rural population
(2001) |
50.5% of total
population |
|
Number of towns and
villages including un-inhabited villages (2001) |
22 and 817 |
|
Agricultural land
(2001) |
21.2% of total
geographical area |
|
Per capita income
(1996-97) |
Rs.9,570/- (per
annum). |
|
Population density
(2001) |
42/km2 |
|
Birth rate (2000)
|
16.0/thousand
|
|
Death rate (2000)
|
5.2/thousand |
|
Infant mortality
rate |
14/thousand # |
|
Literacy rate
(2001) |
88.49% [Male:
90.69%; Female: 86.13%] |
|
Sex ratio (2001)
|
938 (females per
1000 males) |
|
Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes |
0.03% and 94.46% of
total population respectively |
|
Number of Schedule Castes
Number of Schedule Tribes |
16
14 |
|
Major tribal communities |
Chakma, Dimasa (Kachari),
Garo, Hajong, Hmar, Khasi , Jaintia (including Synteng, Pnar, War, Bhoi or
Lyngngam), Kuki (with more than thirty-eight sub-tribes), Lakher, Man,
Mizo, Mikir, Pawl, Naga |
|
Major sources of
occupation |
Agriculture (60% of
the state’s population engaged in it) |
|
Major industries
|
Handloom,
handicrafts, agro-based industries, sericulture |
#Provisional
figure of 2002 from SRS, Office of the Registrar General of India, Ministry of
Home Affairs.
Top
MANIPUR
 Manipur lies
between 230 80' to 250 68' N latitudes and 930
03' to 940 78' E longitudes. The state is bounded by Nagaland on
north, Mizoram on south, Myanmar on east and Cachar district of Assam on west.
Geographically, the state is divided into two tracts; the hills and the plains.
The eastern wing of the Himalaya, specially its lower hills, constitutes an
important feature of the landscape of Manipur. Some of the mountains are quite
high like a peak on the Nagaland-Manipur border, which is more than 3,000 m in
height. There are a number of rivers in the state; these are: Barak, Manipur,
Iril, Jiri, Makru, Irang, Khuga, Chapki and Tizo, etc. Barak and its tributaries
constituted the plains of the state. The state’s capital Imphal is situated on
the bank of Barak river.
Depending on the altitude of
hill ranges, the climatic condition varies from tropical to sub-alpine. The wet
forests and the pine forests occur between 900-2,700 m above mean sea level and
they together sustain a host of rare and endemic plants and animal lives.
Manipur is coveted the world over for some of the most beautiful and precious
blooms such as orchids, which have an aura of exotic mysteries about them.
Manipur is the abode of Shiroy Lily (Lilium
macklinae), the paradise flower, which is not found elsewhere in the world.
The state enjoys a typical monsoonal climate with variants, ranging from
tropical to temperate conditions. The rapid changes in topography result in
climatic changes in the short distances. This state receives plenty of rainfall;
the average rainfall of the state is about 210 mm.
Manipur at a glance
|
Geographical area
(km2) |
22,327 |
|
Capital |
Imphal |
|
Number of districts |
9 |
|
Population (2001)
|
23,886,34 [Males:
12,07,338; Females: 11,81,296] |
|
Major language |
Manipuri |
|
Status
|
Ranks 23rd
in area and 22nd in population in India; 6th in area
and 5th in population among the IHR states |
|
Major rivers
|
Barak, Iril, Jiri,
Makru, Irang, Khuga, Chapki |
|
Forest cover (2001) |
75.81% of total
geographical area |
|
National park |
Keibul-Lamjao |
|
Wildlife sanctuary |
Yangoupokpi-Lokchao |
|
Rural population
(2001) |
76.12% of total
population |
|
Number of towns and
villages including un-inhabited villages (2001) |
37 and 2,275 |
|
Agricultural land
(2001) |
7.3% of total
geographical area |
|
Per Capita income (NSDP)
(2000-01) |
Rs. 8745/- (Quick
Estimate) (At 1993-94 Prices) |
|
Population density
(2001) |
107/ km2 |
|
Birth rate (2000)
|
18.3/thousand
|
|
Death rate (2000)
|
5.6/thousand |
|
Infant mortality
rate |
14/thousand # |
|
Literacy rate
(2001) |
68.87% [Male:
77.87%; Female: 59.7%] |
|
Sex ratio (2001)
|
978 (females per
1000 males) |
|
Schedule Castes and
Schedule Tribes |
2.51% and 39.96% of
total population respectively |
|
Number of Schedule
Castes
Number of Schedule
Tribes |
7
29 |
|
Major tribal
communities |
Aimol, Anal, Angami,
Chiru, Chothe, Gangte, Hmar, Kabul, Kacha Naga, Koirao, Koireng, Kom,
Lamgang, Mao, Maram, Maring, Mizo, Monsang, Moyon, Paite, Puum, Ralte,
Sema, Simte, Suhte, Tangkhul, Thadou, Vaiphul and Zou |
|
Major sources of
income |
Agriculture
|
|
Major industries |
Handicrafts, steel,
cement, electronics |
#Provisional
figure of 2002 from SRS, Office of the Registrar General of India, Ministry of
Home Affairs.
Top
NAGALAND
 Nagaland
lies between 25o 6' – 27o 4' N latitudes and 93o
20' – 95o 15' E longitudes in the extreme north-east of India. The
state is bounded by Arunachal Pradesh on the north, Assam on west, Manipur on
south and Myanmar on the east. The state is tight-packed with north-south
aligned ranges defined by narrow and parallel valleys.
The altitude of the state
varies from 100 to 3,840 m (Saramati, the highest peak), which makes favourable
conditions for growing different varieties of tropical and sub-tropical fruits,
vegetables and cereal crops, etc. The main
rivers are: Dhansiri, Doyang, Dikhu, Milak, Zungki and Tizu. The rapid changes
in topography result in climatic changes within short span of time. The
foot-hill plains sheltered valleys and the hill ranges are marked with climatic
contrasts. The average rainfall of the state varies between 200 to 250 cm.
Nagaland at a glance
|
Geographical area
(km2) |
16,579 |
|
Capital |
Kohima |
|
Number of districts |
8 |
|
Population (2001)
|
19,88,636 [Males:
10,41,686; Females: 9,46,950] |
|
Major language |
English, Ao, Konyak,
Angami, Seema and Lotha |
|
Status
|
Ranks 25th
in area and 24th in population in India; 8th
in area and 7th in population among the IHR states |
|
Major rivers
|
Dhansiri, Doyang,
Dikhu, Milak, Zungki and Tizu |
|
Forest cover (2001) |
80.49% of total
geographical area |
|
National park |
Intanki |
|
Major wildlife
sanctuaries |
Puliebadze,
Rangapahar |
|
Rural population
(2001) |
82.26% of total
population |
|
Number of towns and
villages including un-inhabited villages (2001) |
9 and 1,317 |
|
Agricultural land
(2001) |
38.4% of total
geographical area |
|
Per capita income
(1999-00) |
Rs. 8726/- (at
1993-94 prices). |
|
Population density
(2001) |
120/ km2 |
|
Birth rate (1999) |
11.8/thousand |
|
Death rate (1999) |
2.3/thousand |
|
Infant mortality
rate |
67/thousand # |
|
Literacy rate
(2001) |
67.11% [Male:
71.77%; Female: 61.92%] |
|
Sex ratio (2001)
|
909 (females per
1000 males) |
|
Schedule Tribes
|
89.15% of total
population |
|
Number of Schedule
Castes
Number of Schedule
Tribes |
0
5 |
|
Major tribal
communities |
Naga, Kuki, Kachari,
Mikir and Garo |
|
Major sources of
occupation |
Agriculture (84% of
total occupation) |
|
Major industries
|
Sugar, pulp &
paper, handicrafts |
#Figure of 1991
Top
ARUNACHAL PRADESH
 Arunachal
Pradesh lies between 26o 28'
and 29o 30'
N latitudes and 91o 30'
and 97o 30'
E longitudes. The state is
situated in the extreme north-east
of India and is bounded by independent countries on three sides and by Assam and
Nagaland states on one side. There are Bhutan, Tibet, China and Myanmar on the
west, north-east, north and east of this state, respectively, and the Indian
states Assam and Nagaland on the south.
Located at the confluence of the Indo-Chinese, Indo-Malayan and Indian
biogeographical region with varied physio-climatic conditions, the state falls
in the climatic transition between torrid and temperate zones of the northern
hemisphere. Physiographically, it includes a longitudinal belt of the Assam
plains of above 150m altitude in the southern border, the foot hills, the ranges
of lesser sub-Himalayas (Siwalik), and greater Himalaya (Himadri)
lying parallel from south to north with altitudes varying between 150m to
7,090m; amsl. The heights of mountain peaks show a greater variation ranging
from 1,829 to 7,090m, the highest one is Kangte in the Tawang district. The main
ridges and spurs of the sub-Himalaya fan out to the plains mostly in transverse
direction except in some places where the prominent ridges run more or less
parallel to each other from west to east. The high mountains in the northern
ridge remain snow clad almost throughout the year.
The terrain of the state consists
of sub-monatane and mountainous ranges, sloping down to the plains of Assam,
divided into valleys by the river Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Lohit and Tirap. The
mighty Brahmaputra, India’s major river, enters this state from Tibet and flows
into Assam from where it goes down to Bangladesh before falling into Bay of
Bengal. The state is situated in the Eastern Himalaya and is the richest
biogeographical province of the entire Indian Himalayan zone. The province has
been identified as one of the world’s 18 biodiversity hotspots. The richness of
life forms, i.e., the flora and fauna that occur in these forests presents a
panorama of biological diversity with over 5,000 plants, about 85 terrestrial
mammals, over 500 birds and a large number of butterflies, insects and
reptiles. This diversity of topographical and climatic conditions has favoured
the growth of luxuriant forests that are home to myriad plant and animal forms
adding beauty to the landscape.
Arunachal
Pradesh at a glance
|
Geographical Area
(km2) |
83,743 |
|
Capital |
Itanagar |
|
Number of districts |
16 (includes newly
formed Anjaw, Kurung Kumey and Lower & Upper Dibang Valley districts) |
|
Population (2001) |
10,91,117 [Males:
5,73,951; Females: 5,17,166] |
|
Major language |
Monpa, Miji, Adi,
Sherdukpen |
|
Status |
Ranks 14th
in area and 26th in population in India; the largest
northeastern states and ranks 2nd in area and 9th in
population among the IHR states |
|
Major rivers |
Brahmaputra, Kameng,
Subansiri, Siang, Lohit and Tirap |
|
Forest cover
(2001) |
81.25% of total
geographical area |
|
National parks |
Namdapha, Mouling |
|
Major wildlife
sanctuaries |
Dibang, Pakhui,
Kamlang, Tale valley, Mehao |
|
Rural population
(2001) |
79.59% of total
population |
|
Number of towns and
villages including un-inhabited villages (2001) |
17 and 4,065 |
|
Agricultural land
(2001) |
3.5% of total
geographical area |
|
Per capita income (NSDP)
(2000-01) |
Rs.9013/- (quick
estimate) (at 1993-94 prices) |
|
Population density
(2001) |
13/km2 |
|
Birth rate (2000)
|
22.3/thousand |
|
Death rate (2000)
|
6.0/thousand |
|
Infant mortality
rate |
37/thousand # |
|
Literacy rate
(2001) |
54.74% [Male:
64.07%; Female: 44.24%] |
|
Sex ratio (2001)
|
901 (females per
1000 males) |
|
Schedule Castes and
Schedule Tribes |
0.56 and 64.22% of
total population respectively |
|
Number of Schedule
Castes
Number of Schedule
Tribes |
16
12 |
|
Major tribal
communities |
Monpa, Sherdukpen, Bugun, Aka,
Miji, Nyishi, Sulung or Puroik, Adi, Apatani, Hill Miri, Tagin, Galo or
Galong, Khampti, Mishmi, Singhpo, Wancho, Tangsa, Nocte, Memba, Khemba |
|
Major source of
occupation |
Agriculture, Forestry |
|
Major industries |
Small-scale
agro-based industries & forest based industries |
#Provisional
figure of 2002 from SRS, Office of the Registrar General of India, Ministry of
Home Affairs.
Top
Selected Reading:
Nandy, S.N.,
Dhyani, P.P. and Samal P.K. 2006.
Resource Information Database of the Indian Himalaya.
G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Almora, pp. 96
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