Leisure & Travel

Nagaland — the edge of IndiaEncircled by Assam to the north, Burma and Arunachal Pradesh to the east and Manipur down south, this unspoilt land of green valleys and shrouding mists offers the visitor warm, colourful people and well-preserved ecological habitatsA fascinating kaleidoscope of legends and lore, tribal wealth and pristine beauty, Nagaland‚s multi-hued cultural tapestry offers the visitor warm, colourful people, a fragrant riot of exotic flora and greenery, and well-preserved ecological habitats ‚ perfect for a rich holiday experience. Recently, to boost this tiny (pop. 1.4 million) north-eastern state‚s tourism potential, the Central government allotted the state administration Rs.400 crore. Encircled by Assam to the north, Burma and Arunachal Pradesh to the east and Manipur down south, this unspoilt land of green valleys and shrouding mists sprawled over 16,488 sq. km is mainly populated by the Naga community, which has strong ethnic, cultural and linguistic ties with the ‚Ëœseven sister‚ states of north-east India. Carved out of territories earlier known as the Naga Hills-Tuesnsang Area (NHTA), the state was formally established through the enactment of the State of Nagaland Act, 1962. It is the only Indian state where English is the official language.Nagaland is almost surrounded by three scenic mountain ranges ‚ Patkal, Barail and Naga ‚ which form a jagged chain from north to south. The state‚s highest peak is Saramati in the Tuesnsang district (3,840 m) while the Japfu Peak (3,014 m) is just a notch below. From these mountains several rivers including the Dikhu and Doyang, the state‚s primary sources of water, originate.Apart from mountainous terrain, Nagaland is also endowed with scenic valleys, fresh water streams, deep gorges and unique flora and fauna. The state is a wildlife enthusiast‚s delight with the spectacular Fakim and Itanki wildlife sanctuaries a must-see to get a flavour of the local wilderness. Adventure seekers in particular will appreciate the invigorating treks that the DzukouValley, Mokokchung, Pungro, Mount Tiyi and Satoi ranges offer. There‚s also plenty of rock climbing, jungle camping and nature walks for experiencing the exotic vegetation. Nagaland‚s sub-tropical rainforests harbour tigers, leopards, elephants, deer, wild buffalos and other rare species. Its vast swathes of paddy fields ‚ fed by an extensive irrigation system ‚ are great eye candy as well. A perennially salubrious climate allows year-round tourism though the wet monsoon season (June-September) is not the best time. Although the state currently lacks the creature comforts of starred hotels, smart eateries and glitzy malls, basic comforts are plentiful. Its capital Kohima is a pretty and welcoming town, with a dramatic setting of mist-swathed mountains and emerald rivers and lakes. An overwhelmingly rural community, the descriptive ‚ËœNaga‚ has become an omnibus word for tribal communities in north-east India. However, of the 32 tribes populating the north-eastern states, 16 major sub-tribes are concentrated in seven districts of Nagaland. Primary among these are the Angamis, the Sema, Konyak, Aos and the Rengmas, each with its distinctive culture, language and lifestyle. The Naga people are also known for their uncompromising sartorial…