The six tribes – Chang, Konyak, Phom, Sangtam, Khiamniungan and Yimchunger living in the districts of Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire and in the sub-divisions of Noklak and Shamator – were historically under the erstwhile Tuensang Frontier Division under the aegis of the Indian Frontier Administrative Services (IFAS) and management of the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), Govt. of India, which was geo-politically a by-product of the McMohan Line of 1914.
“This area (ENPO) was basically and largely outside of the administration of the British rule, which only later became a part of the Indian Union in the year 1947-48,” it stated. The Tuensang Frontier Division of the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA) GOI and the Naga Hills of Assam formed the Naga Hills-Tuensang Area (NHTA) in the year 1957 and subsequently formed Nagaland as the 16th State of the Union of India in the year 1963.
The Article 371 A Clause (1) sub clauses (d) (which is a special provision inserted by the Act of Indian Parliament to administer these areas as a special instrument to look after the special needs of these area people under special status) has not brought any desired effect upon the development of the people due to deliberate negligence and manipulation by the ruling dispensations in the state.
“Lack of quality education, accessibility, training and exposure, etc, of the people has resulted in falling behind the rest of the Nagas,” Thus, the backwardness of the people may have been by destiny in the early stages, but now, it is by deliberate and perpetual design that the condition of the people of the area are deprived and doomed to remain unchanged in this combative milieus of the 21st Century.”
Nagaland State is comprised of Tuensang Frontier Division of the erstwhile North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) and the Naga Hill District of Assam with which the former was merged in 1957 and State of Nagaland came into existence on 1st December 1963, to become the 16th State in the country.
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Nestle among the ranges of the Nagaland; Eastern Nagaland has always aroused an awe-inspiring mysticism, primarily because of its remote geographical location. With the fume of the flowers that dance to the tune of the tribal lyre, with the verve of fiestas and with the simplicity of the Naga people, sharing its border with Myanmar, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, and present Nagaland state, Eastern Nagaland is physically and conceptually at the very extremity of the subcontinent. A glimpse of the Eastern Naga Region in the mist is just enough to refresh a weary outside traveler. Eastern Nagaland, the land of the hospitable and warm Nagas, in the state of Nagaland, lies in the corner of India’s North-East-bordering Myanmar . It has always evoked a sense of awe and wonder in the minds of people including the visitors. Although most of the Nagas have now become Christians, they still preserve the remnants of their early animist culture and ancient traditions.
Historically, the eastern nagas have always been brave warriors. They consider the safety and security of their guests as an honour and prestige. Will never allow any harm to be done to any of their guests/visitors.
Geography of Eastern Nagaland: Spread over an area of 8,000 sq. km (approx.), Eastern Nagaland is a beautiful and gorgeous region with large mountains. It owns the highest peak; Mount Saramati, where it merges with the Patkai Range in Myanmar. Eastern Nagaland has a largely monsoon climate with high humidity levels. Annual rainfall averages around 70-100 feet - concentrated in the months of May range from 70 degrees to 104 degrees fahrenheit. In winter, temperatures don`t generally drop below 39 degrees F but frost is common at high elevations. Eastern Nagaland is blessed with a salubrious climate; people can visit the place whenever they want to. It is blessed with a tension free and quite environment.
Tourists can reach Eastern Nagaland by means of air, rail and road transport. The nearest airport is Dimapur, which is 300 – 350 kms from the district Hqs of Eastern Nagaland.
Districts of Eastern Nagaland: A district is an administrative unit headed by a district magistrate or a deputy commissioner. He is assisted by a number of officials belonging to different administrative services of the state. The Superintendent of police is entrusted with the duty of maintaining law and order. Eastern Nagaland has four administrative districts. They are: Mon, Tuensang, Kiphire and Longleng. Christianity is the major religion of Eastern Nagaland. The state`s population is 9 lakh (approx.) out of which 90.02% are Christians.
Flora and Fauna: Forest in the eastern Nagaland is blessed with rich flora and fauna. Majority of the forest is covered with the tropical and sub-tropical evergreen forests. There are rich covers of palm, mahagony, bamboo, rattan and timber forests. There are also a rich variety of fauna as pangolins, porcupines, leopards, bears, monkeys, deers, oxen and buffaloes. There are an immense varieties of monkeys and deers belonging to different species. The most famous bird found here is the Great Indian Hornbill. Topographically, Eastern Nagaland is mostly a hilly region with a pleasant and salubrious climate throughout the year.
Economy: The most important economy of eastern Nagaland is Agriculture. Ninety percent of the population depends on agriculture. The major crops are rice, corn, millets, pulses, tobacco, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes and fibres. Rice is the dominant crop and also the staple diet of the people. Oil seeds like rapeseed, mustard are grown in wide areas. Coffee cardamom and tea are grown as plantation crops. Principal crops are Arums, yams, millet, maize, potatoes and sugarcane. The important vegetables are melon, cucumbers, spinach leaf, mustard, onion, chillies, carrots, tomatoes, brinjal etc Cash crops like sugarcane and potato are also becoming popular. Coffee, cardamom and tea are grown as plantation crops. The two methods of cultivation among the eastern Naga tribes are jhuming and terrace cultivation. The crops are dependent on rainfall. The most modern method is cultivation is the preparation of the terraced fields. A network of water channels irrigates the fields. Bamboo pipes are used to regulate the flow of water. Forestry is an important source of income. Cottage industries such as weaving, woodwork and pottery are important sources of revenue. Tourism is important, but largely limited owing to the region`s geographic isolation and political instability.
Demographics: According to the 2001 census, the population of Eastern Nagaland is 9 lakh (approx.) There are 04 districts and -villages. The population is scattered widely over these districts.
Culture: More than 90% percent of the people live in rural areas. Weaving is the traditional art of the people which was handed down from generations. Tribal dances give an insight into their inborn reticence. War dances belonging to the different tribes are a major art form in region. Nagamese, a variant language form of Assamese and Hindi is the most widely spoken language. One interesting trait of them is that each tribe has their own mother tongue and these tribes communicate with each other in Nagamese. As such Nagamese is not a mother tongue of any of the tribes and nor is it a written language. English is the official language and is the medium of instruction in schools. Colourful life and culture are an integral part of the eastern Nagas. These 6 tribes are different and unique in their customs and traditions. These customs and traditions are further translated into festivals which revolve around their agricultural cycle. Songs and dances form the soul of these festivals through which their oral history has been passed down the generations. Nature has been kind to the Nagas and their land. Though by virtue of her natural beauty, the whole of eastern Nagaland is a tourist hotspot, yet certain exceptionally charming places have been identified and developed by the community to promote tourism in the region.
Education: The people of Eastern Nagaland are aware of the role of education but the slow pace of socio-economic changes is unable to cater to their emerging aspirations.
Frontier Nagaland and Nagaland comparison
Area: 8,000 sq. km (approx.) against Nagaland: 16,579 sq. km
Population: 9 lakh (approx.) against Nagaland – 20 lacs
The population listed above are according to 2001 census.
Population: 9 lakh (approx.) against Nagaland – 20 lacs
The population listed above are according to 2001 census.