Phek District (pron:/ˈfɛk/) is a district of Nagaland state, India. At 2,026 square kilometres (782 sq mi), the district is the seventh-most populous district in Nagaland and 596th most populous district in India with 163,418 inhabitants. The district is home to 8.26% population of Nagaland. The district headquarters are in the town of Phek, located 120 kilometres from the state-capital Kohima.
History
Phek district was established in 1973 when it was carved out of the erstwhile Kohima District. The name Phek comes from the word Phekrekedze, meaning watchtower. The Government of Nagaland approved Phek as a full-fledged district on 19 December 1973. The district has 14 subdivisions, namely, Pfütsero, Phek Sadar, Chetheba, Chozuba, Meluri, Chizami, Sekruzu, Razieba, Sakraba, Zuketsa, Phor, Khuza, Khezhakeno and Phokhungri.
Geography
Phek district is a mountainous region rich in flora and fauna with 70% of its land covered in evergreen forest. The highest mountain is Zanibu, with the summit over 2,400 m (7,900 ft) above mean sea level (AMSL). The district HQ town of Phek lies at the lowest altitude of the district at 1,524m above sea level, with the town of Pfütsero at the highest point 2,136m above.
The largest rivers of the district are the Tizu, Lanyi, Arachu, and the three most important lakes are the Shilloi, Chida and Dzüdü. As of 2002, of its 89 recognized villages, twelve were not accessible by road at all, and of the rest, only 24 were accessible by “all-weather roads”. Only 9 of the 89 villages were still to be connected to the water supply.
Avakhung International Border Checkpost, also known as Avankhu in Phek district of Nagaland, is an International Border Checkpost on India–Myanmar barrier and a highway is being developed as part of the Bharatmala project (2017-2022).
Climate
The summers are moderately warm with the average temperature being 27 °C without exceeding 32 °C. Monsoon starts towards the end of May and is over by the end of September. Winters are cold, in comparison to the nearby plains of Assam, with the temperature dropping to 0 °C in the coldest months of January and February.
The average annual rainfall is 1,527 mm.
Administration
The Deputy Commissioner’s office is located in Phek. The district is split into 14 administrative circles, which are Pfütsero, Phek Sadar, Chetheba, Chozuba, Meluri, Sekruzu, Chizami, Sakraba, Razieba, Zuketsa, Phor, Khuza, Khezhakeno, and Phokhungri. The current Deputy Commissioner of the district is Razouvolie Dozo.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) offices are located in Pfütsero, Meluri and Chozuba. A Sub-Divisional Officer is located in Chizami, and Extra Assistant Commissioner EAC headquarters are located in Sakraba, Sekruzu, Phokhungri, Khezhakeno, Chetheba, Khuza, Zuketsa, and Phor.
Demographics
Religion in Phek district (2011)
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 17,826 | — |
| 1911 | 26,577 | +49.1% |
| 1921 | 27,425 | +3.2% |
| 1931 | 30,661 | +11.8% |
| 1941 | 30,511 | −0.5% |
| 1951 | 30,299 | −0.7% |
| 1961 | 33,656 | +11.1% |
| 1971 | 44,594 | +32.5% |
| 1981 | 70,618 | +58.4% |
| 1991 | 102,156 | +44.7% |
| 2001 | 148,195 | +45.1% |
| 2011 | 163,418 | +10.3% |
| Source: | ||
A man of the Pochury Tribe of Nagaland
As of 2011 the 2011 census Phek district has a population of 163,418, roughly equal to the nation of Saint Lucia. This gives it a ranking of 596th in India (out of a total of 640). Phek has a sex ratio of 951 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 78.05%.
The district is the home of the Chakhesang and Pochury tribes.
Religion
Christianity is the religion of 97% of the inhabitants. Other religions followed are Hinduism by 2% of the population, Islam by 0.6%, Buddhism by 0.2%, and a few Jains and Sikhs.
Languages
The following Angami–Pochuri languages are spoken in Phek district.
- Chokri language
- Kheza language
- Pochuri language
- Poula language
Culture
The festivals of Shükhrünyie, Yemshe, Tsükhrünyie, and Nazhü are celebrated in Phek district.
Towns and villages
As of 2011 the 2011 census, the district holds two towns, Phek and Pfutsero, and 117 villages, divided into fourteen admin circles as follows:
| Circle | Towns | Villages |
|---|---|---|
| Chetheba | Chesezumi (3,470), Thenyizumi (3,275), Thipuzu (3,249), Chetheba Hq (1,915), Khulazu Basa (1,839), Khulazu Bawe (1,669), Rihuba (949), Chesezu Nasa (275), Phuyoba (240). | |
| Chizami | Thetsumi (2,840), Chizami Vill. (2,592), Mesulumi (2,037), Chizami Hq (1,283), Enhulumi (1,014), Sumi (508). | |
| Chozuba | Chozuba Hq (3,543), Chozuba Vill. (3,419), Yoruba (3,353), Thevopisu (2,624), Runguzumi Nawe (1,193), Runguzumi Nasa (335), Khesomi (265), Chozubasa (104). | |
| Khezhakeno | Khezakeno Village (3,281), Khezakeno Hq (529). | |
| Khuza | Chiepoketa (1,007), Khuza Village (743), Metsale (663), Tehephu (534), Khutsokhuno (501), Suthotsu (402), Khuza Hq (157). | |
| Meluri | Meluri Hq (5,191), Meluri Village (2,723), Lephori (1,355), Akhegwo (1,196), Matikhru (623), Reguri (592), Kanjang (539), Mollen (430), Khumiasu (407), New Akhegwo (305), Kukhegwo (288), Akhen (128), Akhegwo Junction (113). | |
| Pfutsero | Pfutsero Town Committee (10,371) | Kikruma (7,298), Phusachodu (7,275), Pfutseromi (3,378), Kami (1,239), Lekromi (950), R.D Block Kikruma (571), Kade (147). |
| Phek Sadar | Phek Town Committee (14,204) | Phek Village (2,744), Losami (2,246), Lozaphuhu (2,077), Ketsapo (2,050), Phek Old Town (924), Sohomi (558), Kizari (490), Kotisu (455), Phek Basa (434), Lanyezho (319), Tezatse (252), Chosaba (210), Satheri (194), Losami Junction (132), Surhoba (118). |
| Phokhungri | Phokhungri Vill. (629), Sutsu (485), Laruri (472), New Thewati (457), Zipu (387), Phokhungri Hq (259), Mokie (214), Washelo (200), Old Thewati (187), Avankhu (186), Letsam (135). | |
| Phor | Hutsu (1,007), Weziho Town (783), Phor (732), Weziho (699), Satuza (431), Yesisotha Centre (331), Wuzu (314), Kuzatu (195), Yesi (102), New (Phor 523). | |
| Razieba | Zhavame (3,208), Zelume (1,076), Tsupfume (1,070), Razieba Hq (780), Zavachu (371). | |
| Sakraba | Porba (2,764), Middle Khomi (1,206), Pholami (1,159), Pholami (873), Sakraba (754), Sakraba Hq (735), Upper Khomi (730), Wibo (538), Gidemi (246), Lower Khomi (236). | |
| Sekruzu | Ruzazho (2,848), Dzulhami (2,823), Phugwi (1,527), Suthazu Nawe (1,478), Therhutsesemi (1,010), Khutsami (621), Suthazu Nasa (462), Sekrezu (394), New Ruzazho (203). | |
| Zuketsa | Leshemi (1,877), Zapami (1,308), Lasumi (1,048), Zuketsa (555), Lowuza (456). |
Government and Politics
The district has five vidhan sabha constituences, namely, Pfutsero, Chizami, Chazouba, Phek and Meluri. The last elections were held in 2018. The next legislative assembly election will be held in 2023.
As part of Lok Sabha, Phek 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
Terrace Cultivation in Pfutsero
Cotton Processing by a woman of Pochury Tribe
Agriculture is the main occupation with Terrace Rice Cultivation (TRC) as the most predominant throughout Phek district. Shifting cultivation or Jhum Cultivation is a common practice. Important crops produced in the district include rice, maize and millet.
Manufacturing here includes production of salt in Meluri, fruit juice production, weaving, bamboo and wood carving.
Health
The healthcare sector comprises one hospital, two community health centres and eight primary health centres.
Education
The education sector comprises 116 primary schools, 46 middle schools, 18 high schools plus one higher secondary school, and three colleges. The literacy rate of the district is 78.05%.
Colleges
- Baptist Theological College, Pfütsero
- District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Phek
- Pfutsero Government College, Pfütsero
- Phek Government College, Phek
Tourism
Kupamodzu Valley
Shilloi Lake
Phek district has numerous tourist attractions to visit and explore. Below are few of the tourist attractions in the district:
- Lake Shilloi, also referred to as The Lake of Spirits
- Kapamodzu Peak, peak 2,620 metres (8,600 ft)
- Terapimithu Peak, peak 2,232 metres (7,323 ft)
- Khezhakeno, village
- Glory Peak, peak in Pfütsero 2,600 metres (8,500 ft)
Transportation
Air
The nearest airport is Dimapur Airport in Nagaland located 193 kilometres from district headquarters Phek. There is a helipad in Phek as well.
Rail
The nearest railway station is Dimapur railway station located 200 kilometres from district headquarters Phek.
Road
The district is well-connected with roads. The NH 702A passes through the district alongside other intra-district roads.