Mon

Mon is a district in the State of Nagaland in India. The district covers an area of 1786 Sq km and is bounded on the North by Sibsagar District of Assam, on the South by Tuensang District of Nagaland and Myanmar (Burma), on the East by Myanmar (Burma) and on the West by Tuensang and Mokokchung Districts of Nagaland. On her Northeast lies the Tirap District of Arunachal Pradesh.

The altitude of Mon district headquarters is 897.64 meters above sea level.

The District, with the exception of the foothills, is hilly with steep slopes. Low-lying areas with undulating hills characterize the foothills. The District can be divided into two regions topographically, namely the Upper Region comprising Longching, Chen, Mopong and Tobu areas and the Lower Region comprises Mon, Tizit and Naginimora area. The foothills lie adjacent to the plains of Assam i.e. the Tizit and Naginimora areas. The hill ranges extend from the foothills to the slopes of Naga Hills and Patkai Range in the Eastern side of the District.

Shawot, the highest peak in the district has an altitude of 2414 meters above sea level.

The population of the Mon District is 2,59,604 according to the Provisional Census 2001. Of this, the male population is 1,38,005 and female population is 1,21,599. The density of population is 145 Sq.km. with the decennial growth of population (1991-2001) at 73.42 per cent (Provisional Census 2001). The sex ratio is 881:1000 i.e. 881 females per 1000 males.

The literacy rate in the District is 42.25 per cent. Of this, the male literacy is 46.70 per cent and the female is 37.12 per cent.

The Mon District presents picturesque scenes with lusty rich green forest, which provides a natural habitat to different species of flora and fauna. Some of the forests of Mon are Shingphan forest, Wanching forest, Tiru forest, Zangkhum forest, Shawot and Chen forests, Yei, Monyakshu, Pessao, Yongkao and Tobu forests. These forests are rich in timber.

The Mon District is rich in flora and fauna. The rare Blue Vanda, White Orchids, Foxtail, Wild Lilies, Maples etc. are found in the mountainous region of the District. There are varieties of medicinal herbs, edible plants, shrubs, and plants etc., which are of great botanical value.

Elephant, Tigers, Spotted Leopards, Jungle Cats, Mithuns, Hornbills, Partridge fowls, the rare Tragopan, Barking Deer, Mountain Goats, Wild Boars, Bears are found in the forest of the Mon District.

The main occupation of the people of this district is agriculture with nearly 90 per cent of the work force engaged in it. The economic condition of the people lags behind when compared to the living conditions of the people of other districts in Nagaland. As it is located in the remotest part of Nagaland, its economic development has not been satisfactory. Mon has great potentialities for economic development if her forest resources, human resources, water resources etc. can be re-generated. Due to ignorance, lack of capital, scientific and technical know-how, infrastructure inadequacies, the Mon District has failed to lift her up to the level of other districts. The recent trend in the District is tea-cultivation by the local people. The gentle slopes of Mon provide ample scope for developing the Mon District for the cultivation with all modern techniques.

History

The area, which is now known as MON DISTRICT and is placed on the Northeastern part of the State of Nagaland, was not brought under the Civil Administration till 1948. Even in the beginning of the 19th Century, a vast tract of land lying between the administered areas of Assam and Myanmar (Burma) was not brought under the Civil Administration by the British. By the year 1914, the Foreign and Political Department of the Government of India, by a Notification, extended the Assam Frontier Tract Regulation of 1880 to the Hills, which were either inhabited or frequented by Abors, Mishmis, Singphos, Nagas, Khamptis, Bhutias, Akas and Daflas. It is by this extension of the aforesaid Regulation, the Government of India brought the area under some administration in 1914 and the area was named as the North East Frontier Tract. Hence, the present MON DISTRICT was also brought under same Notification but practically, there was no Civil Administration till 1948.

In 1951, the plains portion of Balipara Frontier Tract, Tirap Frontier Tract, Abor Hills District and Mishmi Hills were transferred to the administrative jurisdiction of the Government of Assam. Thereafter, the remaining areas of the said North East Frontier together with the Naga Tribal Area of Tuensang including the present Mon (District) were re-named as the North East Frontier Agency. The Mon Sub-division under the Tuensang Frontier Division was created and the officer who was first posted, as the Assistant Political Officer was Mr. W.H. RYNJAH.

The district was carved out of the Tuensang district (Nagaland) on 21st December 1973. The district was enlarged in 1991 by transferring some villages from the Tuensang district and creating some new administrative circle headquarters at Tobu (head by the Additional Deputy Commissioner), Mopong and Muknyakshu (headed by the Extra Assistant Commissioner each).

Politics

Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) constituencies and their areas after delimitaion order of 2008

41 Tizit Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - Tizit H. Q., Tizit Farm, P.W.D. /Medical CRP Colony and Tingalibam Hamlet and Nokzang, Jaboka, Loakho, Nokyuan, Yannu, Longting, Zangkham, Zakhu, Sangsa, Ngangting, Tizit, Lapa and Longlem villages of Tizit Circle ; and Oting and Wangla villages of Mon Circle.

42 Wakching Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - Naginimara H. Q. and Wakching H. Q., and Namthai, Hotahoti, Tiru, Kongon, Wakching, Wanching, Shiyong, Tanhai and Chingphoi villages of Naginimara Circle.

43 Tapi Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - Shangnyu, Longpho, Tuimei, Phuktong, Lampong-singha, Tang, Mon Longkai, Hongphoy and Liangnyu villages of Mon Circle; Nyasa village of Phomching Circle; and Pongkong village of Naginimara Circle

44 Phomching Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - Phomching H. Q. and Sengha Wamsa, Sengha, Mokok, Sengha Chingnyu, Sengha Tangjen, Nyanyu, Liongwa, Longzang, Wetting and Phuka villages of Phomching Circle.

45 Tehok Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - Choha Chinglen and Choha Chingnyu villages of Champang Circle; and Chen Station and Chingkao Chingcha, Chingkao Chingkao Chingnyu, Wangti, Chenloisho, Chen Wetnyn and Chen Moho villages of Chen Circle.

46 Mon Town Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - Mon H. Q. and C.R.P. Check Post and Yoting, Leangha, Chui, Totok Chingnyu, Totok Chingha and Totok chingku villages of Mon Circle; and Choknyu village of Chen Circle.

47 Aboi Vidhan Sabha Constituency (ST) - Champang H. Q. and Longching, Sowa, Mohung, Aopao, Chinglong, Nganyching and Langmeing village of Champang Circle; and Chingtang Village of Naginimara Circle.

Places of interest
Wanching, Wakching, Mon, Shangnyu, Chui, Longwa, Angphang, Monyakshu, Pessao, Changlangshu, Sheanghachingnyu, Langmeang, Longwa, Dikhu river, Tizit, Tapi, Teyap, Yetyong, Kaimang, Maksha, Thannyak, Chiknyuho, Shawot, Ngupdang, Longwa, Yei, Monyakshu, Pessao, Yongkao and Tamkong, Shangnyu, Chui