Kohima District

Kohima District (pron:/ˈkəʊhɪˌmɑː or kəʊˈhiːmə/) is a district of Nagaland state in India. It is the home of the Angami Naga and Rengma Naga tribes. As of 2011, it is the second most populous district of Nagaland (out of 12), after Dimapur with a population of 267,988, 45% of which is urban. It is home to 13.55% of Nagaland’s entire population. The district headquarters is at Kohima City. Kohima District is also the seventh-largest district in Nagaland with an area of 1,463 square kilometres (565 sq mi).

History

Prior to India’s independence, the area was part of Naga Hills District, with Kohima as the district headquarters.

Kohima District was created as one of the three districts of the newly inaugurated of Nagaland state on 1 December 1961. In 1973 the new districts of Phek, Wokha were created out of Kohima district, as in 1997 Dimapur district was similarly carved out. The 2003 creation of Peren district left Kohima in its current form.

Geography

Kohima District has a hilly landscape – Kohima urban area, typical of the area, is stretched along the top of a mountain. It is bounded by Wokha district in the north, Zünheboto and Phek district in the east, Manipur in the south and Dimapur and Peren districts in the east. It is headquartered at Kohima, which is at an altitude of 1,444 metres (4,738 ft) above sea level. The highest peak in the district is Japfü 3,014 metres (9,888 ft) in the Southern part of the district.

Flora and fauna

In 1980, Kohima District became home to the Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, which has an area of 9.2 km² (3.6 sq mi). It is a natural habitat for Blyth’s Tragopan.

Climate

Administration

Kohima District is administered by a deputy commissioner, who has a number of additional deputy commissioners and sub-division officers (SDOs) with responsibilities for each of the administrative circles. There exists also a District Urban Development Agency for Kohima. The current Deputy Commissioner of Kohima district is Gregory Thejawelie.

Kohima District is subdivided into the eight administrative circles of Tseminyu, Tsogin, Chiephobozou, Botsa, Kezocha, Jakhama, Kohima Sadar and Sechu-Zubza. These administrative circles are grouped into four Rural Development Blocks, which are Kohima (for Kohima Sadar and Sechu-Zubza), Chiephobozou (for Chiephobozou, Botsa and some of Kezocha), Jakhama (for Jakhama and the rest of Kezocha) and Tseminyu (Tseminyu and Tsogin).

Demographics

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1901	21,968	—
1911	32,750	+49.1%
1921	33,797	+3.2%
1931	37,785	+11.8%
1941	37,601	−0.5%
1951	37,339	−0.7%
1961	41,501	+11.1%
1971	63,077	+52.0%
1981	97,169	+54.0%
1991	154,145	+58.6%
2001	220,168	+42.8%
2011	267,988	+21.7%
Source:

According to the 2011 census of India Kohima District has a population of 267,988, of which 121,088 or 45% lived in urban areas. This gives it a ranking of 576th in India (out of a total of 640). Kohima district has a sex ratio of 928 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 85%.

The main indigenous inhabitants of Kohima District are the Angami Nagas and the Rengma Nagas.

Religion

Christianity is the largest religion in the district, followed by 87% of the people. Hinduism is the second-largest religion with 9.51% adherents. Islam and Buddhism form 1.64% and 0.57% of the population respectively.

Languages

The following languages are spoken in Kohima District:

• Angami–Pochuri languages
  • Angami language
  • Rengma language
  • Ntenyi language

Towns and villages

Kohima Sadar circle comprises two towns:

• Kohima (99,039), Kohima Village Census Town (15,734), and the two villages of Chiedema (1,820), Chiede Model Village (277).

Tseminyu circle comprises the one town of Tseminyu (6,315), and the thirty-two villages of :

• Tesophenyu (11,116), Kandinu (3,938), Nsunyu (2,868), Tseminyu Vill. (2,863), Zisunyu (2,840), Phenshunyu (2,675), Sishunu (2,236), K. Station (2,169), Chunlikha (1,604), Terogunyu (1,559), Ziphenyu (1,495), Ehunnu (1,139), Kashanyu (833), Tseminyu South (765), Phenwhenyu (729), Rumensinyu (712), Khenyu (569), Sewanu (540), New Tesophenyu (516), Kashanyishi (428), Tsonsa (417), Ngvuphen (379), Gukhanyu (340), Yikhanu (331), Tseminyu Old Town (329), Henbenji (278), New Terogunyu (269), Khonibenzun (242), Likhwenchu (241), Guzinyu (222), Phenda (207), Zunpha Mission Centre (150).

Jakhama circle comprises ten towns and villages :

• Viswema (7,417), Jakhama Hq (5,216), Khuzama (5,160), Jakhama Vill. (4,695), Kigwema (3,872), Phesama (3,061), Mima (2,149), Kigwe Town (1,228), Pfuchama (870), Swe–ba (388).

Chiephobozou circle comprises eighteen villages :

• Zhadima (3,184), Ciechama (3,172), Rusoma (1,903), Chiephobozou (1,841), Nerhema (1,678), Tsiese Basa (1,563), 4Th NAP Batt. Thiza (1,505), Meriema (1,233), Thizama (803), Tsiese Bawe (620), Viphoma (456), Nachama (422), Phekerkrie Bawe (301), Nerhe Model (301), Phezha (285), Ziezou (245), Phekerkrie Basa (147), Viphoma Basa (33).

Sechu-Zubza circle comprises sixteen villages :

• Sechü-Zubza (4,460), Jotsoma (2,458), Phezhu (2,391), Mezoma (2,177), Khonoma (1,943), Peducha (1,087), Mengujuma (537), Kiruphema Basa (462), Sechuma (419), Thekrejuma (316), Sirhi Angami (286), Mezo Basa (285), Kiruphema Bawe (237), Dzuleke (156), Khonoma Basa (96), Hydro Project Station (59).

Kezocha circle comprises ten villages :

• Kidima (7,160), Sakhabama (2,857), Kezoma (2,117), Dihoma (1,550), Kezo Town (1,122), Kijumetouma (638), Kezo Basa (490), Mitelephe (245), Kijumetou Basa (149), Kezocha Hq (139).

Botsa circle comprises ten villages :

• Tuophema (2,236), Botsa (1,063), Gareiphema (952), Seiyhama (903), Teichuma (610), Tsiemekhuma Bawe (288), Tsiemekhuma Basa (283), Tuophe Phezou (132), Gareiphe Basa (122), Seiyha Phesa (106).

Tsogin circle comprises seven villages :

• Sendenyu (2,548), New Sendenyu (730), Tsosinyu (696), Rengmapani (627), Thongsunyu (464), Longwesunyu (429), Tsogin Hq (31).

Government and Politics

The district has seven vidhan sabha constituences, namely, Western Angami, Northern Angami-I, Northern Angami II, Tseminyu, Kohima Town, Southern Angami-I and Southern Angami-II. The last elections were held in 2018. The next legislative assembly election will be held in 2023.

As part of the Lok Sabha, Kohima District is part of the Nagaland Lok Sabha constituency. In the 2019 Indian general election, Tokheho Yepthomi of the NDPP won by 16,000 votes over his rival K.L. Chishi of the Indian National Congress. The next general election is in 2024.

Economy

Agriculture

Agriculture forms the major economic activity in the district. Most of the agriculturists in the district practice Shifting cultivation or Jhum cultivation. The main crop in the district is Paddy. Maize is another cereal produced in the district. Other major crops grown in the district are Potatoes, Ginger, Soybean and Ricebean. Among vegetables and fruits, Pineapples, Oranges, Cabbages, Tomatoes, Papayas, etc. are grown throughout the district.

Animal husbandry

Animal husbandry acts as a supplementary income for the people in Kohima district. The sector also provides employment to small and marginal farmers. As per the Livestock Census in 2007, the most prevalent type of livestock in the district are Fowls, Cattles and Pigs.

Industry

There are no large industries in the district. However, there are numerous Small and medium-sized enterprises. The number of MSMEs registered in the district till 2009-10 numbered to 52 which employed around 571 persons. The Angami Nagas and Rengma Nagas in the district are skilled artisans and craftsmen.

Education

As per the 2011 Census of India, Kohima District as a literacy rate of 85.23%. Literacy among the Scheduled Tribes stands at 83.86% with male literacy at 79.6% and female literacy at 88.45%. There are numerous colleges in the district.

Colleges

Universities

Sports

Kohima District is also home to Kohima Komets a soccer club that plays in the Nagaland Premier League. The Indira Gandhi Stadium is a football stadium in Kohima.

Tourism

Kohima District has various tourist places to visit. Below are few of the tourist attractions in the district:

• Japfü Peak: It is the highest peak in the district. The world’s tallest Rhododendron trees are found in the Japfü ranges. The range is also famous for its adventurous trails and treks. Located 15 kilometres from Kohima, the Japfü peak offers splendid views of Kohima city and the Himalayas.
• Tuophema Tourist Village: Tuophema is a heritage village located 36 kilometres north of Kohima.
• Kisama Heritage Village: Kisama is another heritage village located 13 kilometres south of Kohima city.
• Dzüko Valley: The Dzükou Valley is a breathtaking valley of flowers. This valley is situated 25 kilometres south of Kohima at an altitude of 2,462 metres (8,077 ft). Between November and March, the valley is dotted with red and white rhododendrons and wildflowers.
• Khonoma Village:

Khonoma is an ancient Angami village known for its lush greenery and green terraced field. The village lies 20 kilometres west of Kohima.

• Kohima War Cemetery: Kohima War Cemetery is a World War 2 cemetery. It is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
• Nagaland State Museum: Nagaland State Museum or Kohima State Museum was established in 1970 as a multi-purpose stadium. The museum today presents ancient traditional Naga weaponry, traditional Naga clothes, etc.

Transportation

Air

The nearest airport is Dimapur Airport, located 65 kilometres from the district headquarters Kohima. There are several helipads in Kohima District. Kohima Chiethu Airport is a planned airport to be built in Kohima. The Ministry of Defence gave the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to construct the civil airport. It will be the second airport in Nagaland after Dimapur Airport.

Rail

The nearest railway station is Dimapur railway station located 70 kilometres from district headquarters Kohima. The Dhansiri–Zubza line is an under-construction railway line which will connect Kohima with Dimapur via railways. The Kohima Zubza railway station in Zubza, 17 kilometres from Kohima City is currently under-construction. The Government of India has set 2023 as the deadline to connect all Northeastern state capitals with railways.

Road

The district is well-connected with roads and highways. The NH 2 and NH 29 pass through the district alongside other intra-district roads. Nagaland State Transport buses are available from Dimapur for Kohima. Private taxis can be availed as well.