MIZORAM
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Fast
Facts
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INTRODUCTION
Perched on the tip of the
north eastern border of India, idyllic Mizoram, formerly known as the Lushai
Hills, is a land of great natural beauty, an endless variety of landscape with
steep hills and deep gorges, rich flora and fauna, clusters of whispering pines,
and quaint villages with houses on stilts. The forests house some of the rare
varieties of orchids that are found only in this region
Myanmar
and Bangladesh border Mizoram, the finger-like projection in the extreme south
of the region. This region gained a measure of self government as a state in its
own right. The Mizos have the second highest literacy rate in India.
Mizoram, predominantly a Christian populated state, is towards the southern-most
tip of the North-Eastern states, sharing borders with Manipur, Assam, Tripura
and then jutting between Myanmar and Bangladesh. The word Mizo means highlander,
a collective term given by their neighbours to a number of tribes, which settled
in this area. They are orginally believed to have come from North-Western China
and gradually pushed themselves to their present homeland, less than 300 years
ago. A mountainous region, Mizoram became the 23rd state of the Indian Union in
February 1987. The hills are steep with an average height of 900 m. Its green
thick forest is rich in flora and fauna. Mizoram has an area of 21081 sq kms.
Climate
Mizoram has a mild and very pleasant climate of 11deg C-21 deg C in winter and
20 deg C-30 deg C in summer. The entire area is under the influence of south
west monsoon. It rains heavily from May to September and the average rainfall is
254 cm per annum.
Flora
and Fauna
The state has thick bamboo forests. Rivers run in narrow ribbons that seem to be
challenging onlookers to plunge in for some adventure and excitement. The hill
ranges running in north-south direction are resplendent with green vegetation
throughout the year. The highest peak, Phawngpui Mountain (meaning vast meadow)
known as Blue Mountain, a garden of rhododendron of arboreum and veitchianum
species is 2,065 m. There are a
number of hilly streams and rivers which murmur
through idyllic scenario.
Inhabited by swamp deer, tiger, leopard, elephant and hoolock gibbon, Mizoram
can boast of a variety of wild life in the Dampa Sanctuary, established in 1976
at the north-western tip of Mizo hills. Best season to visit the sanctuary is
from November to March.
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
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Ngengpui Wildlife
Sanctuary »
The Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in South-Western Mizoram. It is
close to Indo-Myanmar and Indo-Bangladesh border. The total area of the
Sanctuary is 110 Sq. Km. and ranges in altitude from 200m to about 1200m msl.
The wild animals found in this Sanctuary are Tiger, Clouded leopard, Elephant,
Guar, Barking deer, Sambar, Wild boar, Hoolock Gibbon, Rhesus macaque, Leaf
monkey, Common langur, etc.
Khawnglung Wildlife
Sanctuary »
The Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary is situated approximately 170 km from Aizawl.
It covers an area of about 35 Sq. Km. and ranges in altitude from 400m to 1300m.
Animals commonly found here are Wild boars etc.
Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary
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The Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Eastern part of Mizoram
adjacent to Murlen National Park. The approximate area of the Sanctuary is 60
Sq. Km. and ranges in altitude from 400m to about 2300m above msl. Within this
park is the second highest Peak in Mizoram. The important wild animals and birds
found in this Sanctuary are Tiger, Leopard, Sambar, Ghoral, Serrow, Hume's
Bartailed Pheasant, Kaleej Pheasant, Barking deer, Wild boar, Hoolock gibbon,
Rhesus macaque, etc.
Thorangtlang Wildlife
Sanctuary »
The Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary is situated approximately 240 km from Aizawl
via Thenzawl village in the Western Part of Mizoram and is adjacent of Dampa.
The Sanctuary acts as a corridor for elephants which migrate from Bangladesh.
The area of this Sanctuary is 50 Sq. Km. Important animals found in this
Sanctuary are Tiger, Leopard, Hoolock gibbon, Leaf Monkey, Sambar, Barking Deer,
and variety of Birds, etc.
Phawngpui National Park »
The Phawngpui National Park is situated in South Eastern Mizoram adjacent to
Myanmar border. The highest peak in Mizoram, the Phawngpui (2360m) is located
within this Park. The total area of the Park is 50 Sq. Km. The important wild
animals and birds found in this Park are Ghoral, Serrow, Barking deer, Sambar,
Leopard, Blyth's tragopan, Kaleej Pheasant, Hoolock Gibbon, Common Langur,
Rhesus macaque, Stump tail macaque and variety of birds and orchids.
Mizoram Adventure:
State:
Mizoram, in the north east of India.
Best time to Travel: October to March.
The caves are the most ideal place for the tourists, who are inclined towards
the adventurous tour of Mizoram.
The state of Mizoram has a wide array of caves, some of which are:
Pukzing Cave
Situated at Pukzing village near Marpara in the western hills within
Aizawl
district is the Pukzing Cave. Pukzing cave, which goes 25 m inside is the
biggest cave in Mizoram. The legend says that the cave was carved out of the
hills by a very strong man called Mualzavata, the name meaning a person who
could clear hundred ranges of forest in just one day.
Milu Puk
Milu Puk (cave of skulls) is a big cave situated near the village Mamte in
Lunglei district, about 130 Km from Lunglei town in Mizoram. You will find a big
heap of human skeletons in this cave. The skeleton seems to be of people who
were taller than the Mizos and might have belonged to some other race,
domesticating the area before the Mizos came. It is believed that, these people
belonged to a tribe called 'Tlau".
Kungawrhi Puk
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This is a big cave set on a hill between
Farkawn and Vaphai villages in the south-eastern part of
Aizawl
district. The folktale related with this cave speaks of a beautiful young
girl named Kungawrhi, after whom this cave was named. She got married to a
brave young man, named Pnathira. When the couple was going to Pnathira's
village after the marriage, some spirits, attracted by her beauty, abducted
her. The spirits brought her to this cave and kept her confined in it. Later
she was rescued by her brave husband from the cave. |
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Lamsial Puk
The cave Lamsial Puk is located close to the village Farkawn in the
south-eastern part of
Aizawl
district. This cave features a gruesome witness of a fight between two
neighboring villages in which many warriors were killed. The bodies of the
warriors of the Lamsial village were kept in this cave. The village is no longer
exists. But there are many skeletons in the Lamsial puk which recall the
horrible incident.
State: Mizoram, in the north east of
India.
Best time to Travel: November to March.
The state of Mizoram has a number of beautiful lakes situated in different parts
of its territory. Lakes are scattered through out the state. But there are few,
which are worth a visit. The most important of them are Palak, Tamdil, Rungdil;
and Rengdil. The lake of Mizoram are ideal of boating and fishing. All the
locations are distinct and picturesque, providing a lovely sight to the
onlookers.
Some of the lakes in
Mizoram are:
Tamdil Lake
Tamdil is situated in
Aizawl
district. The Tamdil lake is a natural lake situated about 110 km south-east of
Aizwal town and 7 km from Saitual village. Legend has it there was once a huge
mustard plant in the place of the lake. When the plant was cut off, jets of
water sprayed out from the plant creating a pool of water, and thus the name
Tamdil which means of 'Lake of Mustard Plant' was born. Today the lake is a
major tourist spot and a holiday resort.
The lake is encircled by tropical
evergreen and moist deciduous forest with species like Sehenia Wallichii,
Chikrassia tabularis, Albizzia sp., Artocarpus sp., Merus sp., bamboos etc. The
aquatic fauna here consists of fish. There lake has plenty of prawns. The forest
surrounding the lake inhabits bear, deer, wild pig and common avi-fauna.
Palak Lake
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The lake is situated in an
inaccessible land in the southern part of Mizoram. The Palak lake is
situated in the Lakher region of Chhimtuipui district, 130 km south-west of
Saiha, the district headquarters and 5 km from Pahu village. It is an oval
lake, 200 m long and 150 m wide, occupying an area of 30 ha. It is said
that, the lake came into existence as a result of an earthquake or a flood.
The local people believe a village which was submerged still remains intact
deep under the waters of the lake. |
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The lake is bounded by tropical
evergreen and moist deciduous forests including species like Dipterocarpus sp.,
Michelia sp., Schina Wallichin, Mesua ferrea, Chikrassia tabularies, cedrella
tonna, Albizzia sp., Termemalia sp., Lagerstromia sp., Biscofia Javamica, Ficus
sp., Artocarpus sp., Tetrameles nudiflore, bamboos, canes etc.
The lake is abound with fish and crab. Bear, tiger, deer, wild pig, and variety
of avifauna are found in the surrounding forests of the lake. In Mizoram, Palak
Lake is the only abode of aquatic birds, with the wild duck of various species.
Rungdil Lake
Rungdil Lake is situated 14 km from Suangpuilawn village in Aizwal district. It
has an area of 2.5 ha. Rungdil (lake of partridge) has acquired, because at one
time it was the home to a large number of partridges.
Rungdil Lake consists of two lakes, more or less similar, separated by a narrow
strip of land. It is said that if a pumpkin is cut into two halves and one is
put in one lake, it will surface in the other lake. The two lakes are believed
to have a subterranean connection. The lake is bounded by tropical evergreen
deciduous forests. Its flora and fauna are of similar type as found in and
around the other lakes in Mizoram.
Rengdil Lake
This is a man made lake unlike the other lakes described earlier which are all
natural lakes. This lake is situated in
Aizawl
district, 150 km to the north-west of Aizwal and about 8 km from Zamuang
village. It worth a visit
State:
Mizoram, in the north east of India.
Best time to Travel: October to March.
Trekking & Mountaineering Tips: Carry all the trekking and mountaineering
equipments along with you. Trekking and mountaineering expeditions require
special permits. Climbing to the peaks higher than 6000 meters shall be approved
by Indian Mountaineering Federation. For other expeditions you need to submit
the detailed itinerary, map, etc. when applying for the visa.
Know About the Trekking and
Mountaineering in Mizoram
Mizoram in India has an abundant deep valleys veiled with rich and luxuriant
surroundings filled with a vast variety of flora and fauna. Trekking here is
simply excellent and exciting. There are about 21 peaks in Mizoram varying from
1,179 m to 2,157 m in altitude. The peaks offer much scope to visitors fond of
adventure sports like climbing and mountaineering.
Enjoy the landscape of Mizoram abundant with wild flowers, splendid scenery, and
conversing & dancing people. There are routes, which ascend steeply, and which
go around local villages, passing through forests of rhododendron. It is this
very charm that attracts the spiritual joy that trekkers have found to be.
Sights for Adventure Seekers
Champai
This commercial town 192 km from Aizwal, Champai is a good base for trekkers,
especially in the spring. The rhododendrons around the hills are especially
beautiful. 5 km away is the traditional village of Mizos, Ruantlang, where age
old traditional Mizo way of life is still preserved.
Phawangpui
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Known as the "Blue Mountain", it is the highest peak in Mizoram (7,100 feet above the mean sea level). The whole plateau is a garden of rhododendron skirted by beautiful trees and flowers of all colours and shapes. There are splendid views of the blue hazed hills and valleys. This spot is one of the most ideal place for the mountaineers. |
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Lunglei Town
Natural landscape, cool and pleasant climate, rich flora - all make this place a
beautiful Hill- Station. The remains of the British Missionaries and the first
church of Mizoram are found there. Nearby is a small lake.
Phawngpui National Park
The highest mount in the state situated at 2157 m above sea level. With an area
of 3000 sq m, this park is rich in Flora and Fauna. Its' a home for Tigers,
Sambar Deer, Hoolog Gibbon, Barking Deer, Bear, Serow and birds. It is ideal for
trekking.
Faith &
Culture
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The majority of the Mizos are Christian by faith. The literacy percentage is 88 percent the second highest literacy rate in the country. The people are mainly non-vegetarian and their staple food is rice. The Mizo people are a close knit society with no discrimination on grounds of sex, status or religion. They are hospitable, sociable and love music, singing and dancing. |
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Handicrafts
The traditional handicrafts of Mizoram include the Khumbeu ceremonial hat that
is made of waterproof wild Hnahthial leaves. Other handicrafts include items
such as shawls, textiles, bags and fine bamboo.
PLACES OF INTEREST:
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The State capital
of Aizawl is located at an altitude of 4000
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Tamdil
Lake|
A natural beautiful lake, 85 kms from Aizawl near Saitual village is in the midst of cool, virgin forest that offers an ideal picnic spot for tourists. It has boating facilities for the tourists and accommodation is available at the Tourist lodge.
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It is 137 kms from Aizawl, located near an idyllic beautiful town of Thenzawl. The fall is 750 feet high, surrounded by a lush green tropical forest filled with bamboo groves.
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It is a sub-divisional headquarters on the Indo-Myanmar border, 192 kms away from Aizawl. Cool and healthy, Champai and its surroundings present the tourist with a view of the hills of Myanmar. The town is a developing venue for Indo-Myanmar border trade and ideal place for marketing all kinds of goods. The legendary Rihdil Lake is 22 kms away, inside Myanmar. |
Lunglei, the district headquarters town of south Mizoram, is 235 kms from Aizawl. It has great natural landscape beauty and is rich in flora and fauna. The scenic beauty and cool, pleasant climate make Lunglei, a beautiful hill station for the tourists.
Both are situated at a distance of 16 kms from Mizoram and are cool breezy places for a day's vacation away from Aizawl.
FESTIVALS
OF MIZORAM:
Mizos are basically agriculturists, practising what is known as 'jhum-cultivation'. All their activities revolve around this cultivation and their festivals are also connected with such agricultural operations.
Among other festivals, Chapchar Kut or Spring Festival is the most popular
festival, celebrated after completion of the most arduous task of jungle
clearing for 'jhum' operations. On this day, people of all ages, young and old,
men and women dressed in their respective colourful costumes and head-gears,
assemble and perform various folk dances, sing traditional songs, accompanied by
the beating sound of drums, gongs and cymbals.
Mizos boast of a number of folk and community dances that have been handed down
over the generations. It is in these dances that the visitor can get a glimpse
of the tribal heritage of the Mizos. Most important of these dances are Cheraw
(bamboo dance), Khuallam, Solakia and Chheih Iam. These dances have evolved
through community involvement and participation.
