Nagaland

Nagaland

Nagaland, state of India, lying in the hills and mountains of the northeastern part of the country. It is one of the smaller states of India. Nagaland is bounded by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh to the northeast, Manipur to the south, and Assam to the west and northwest and the country of Myanmar (Burma) to the east. Nagaland is known in India as the land of festivals. Nagaland is a mountainous state in northeast India, bordering Myanmar. It is bounded by Assam in the West, Myanmar (Burma) on the east, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam on the North and Manipur in the South.

The Nagas, an Indo-Asiatic people, form more than 20 tribes, as well as numerous subtribes, and each one has a specific geographic distribution. The Konyaks are the largest tribe, followed by the Aos, Tangkhuls, Semas, and Angamis. 

Climate

Nagaland is blessed with salubrious climate throughout the year and one can visit it anytime. Nagaland has monsoonal climate. Average rainfall annually is 70 to 100 inches and it is happening mainly during the months of May to September. 

Forests & Animals

Forests cover about one-sixth of Nagaland. Tropical and subtropical evergreen forests, containing palms, rattan, and bamboo, as well as valuable timber species (mostly mahogany). Coniferous forests are found at higher elevations. Areas cleared for jhum (shifting cultivation) have a secondary growth of high grass, reeds, and scrub jungle. Humidity levels are generally high throughout the state. 

Elephants, tigers, leopards, bears, several kinds of monkeys, sambar deer, buffalo, wild oxen, and the occasional rhinoceros live in the lower hills. Porcupines, pangolins (scaly anteaters), wild dogs, foxes, civet cats, and mongooses also are found in the state. The longtail feathers of the great Indian hornbill are treasured for use in traditional ceremonial dress.

Festival of Nagaland

Hornbill Festival was launched by the Govt. of Nagaland in December 2000 to encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of the state. Organized by the State Tourism Department and Art & Culture Department. Hornbill Festival showcases a mélange of cultural displays under one roof. This festival takes place between 1 and 10 December every year.It is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12  km from Kohima. All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival. The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its history, culture and traditions.

Cuisine

Nagaland is home to the bhut jolokia or ghost pepper, one of the hottest chilis in the world at 855,000 SHU on the Scoville scale. All the tribes of Nagaland have their own cuisine, and they use a lot of meat, fish, and fermented products in their dishes. However, the state dish is smoked pork cooked with fermented soya bean. Naga dishes use a lot of locally grown herbs, ghost peppers, ginger, and garlic. Famous dishes include snails cooked with pork and silkworm larvae, which is an expensive delicacy of the state. Galho is a vegetarian porridge cooked with rice, leaves, and condiments. Drinks include zutho and thutse, beers made with sticky rice.

Transportation

Airways

Dimapur Airport is the sole airport in Nagaland with scheduled commercial services to Kolkata, West Bengal, Guwahati, Assam, Imphal, Manipur and Dibrugarh, Assam. It is located 7 kilometres from Dimapur, and 70 kilometres from Kohima. The airport's asphalt runway is 7513 feet long, at an elevation of 487 feet. Alongside Dimapur Airport another airport is planned.

Railway

The railway network in the state is minimal with the Dimapur railway station on the Lumding-- Dibrugarh rail section as the only railway station in Nagaland. Broad gauge lines run 12.84 kilometres, National Highway roads 365.3 kilometres , and state roads 1,094.5 kilometres.