Nagaland

A state of far northeastern India, Nagaland lies amid hills and mountains. It
is bounded by Myanmar (Burma) on the east and the Indian states of
Manipur on the south, Assam on the west and north, and Arunachal
Pradesh on the northeast. With an area of 16,579 square kilometers.
Nagaland is one of India’s smaller states. Most of the people live in rural
areas. The only large towns are Dimapur and Kohima, the state capital.

Geography and Climate of Nagaland:

Nagaland has a humid wet-dry climate, with most of the rainfall coming
during the monsoon season. The rainfall averages between 70 and 100
inches (180 and 250 centimeters) per year. The average temperatures vary
by elevation, being colder in the high mountains. Temperatures range from
the low 70s F (about 21–23° C) to the low 100s F (about 38–40° C) in the
summer and rarely drop below 40° F (4° C) in the winter.
Nearly all of the state is mountainous. The Naga Hills rise abruptly in the
north and increase in elevation to the southeast. The highest peak in
Nagaland is Mount Saramati, which reaches 12,552 feet (3,826 meters).
This is what makes the beauty of the place. Mount Pauna is one among
them, this vast stretching range offers the prettiest landscapes you would
ever imagine. Kohima is the capital city of Nagaland.

Customs, Culture and Food Habits:

The State is replete with festivities throughout the year, as all tribes
celebrate their own festivals with a pageantry of colour, music and dance. A
common feature is that the festivals revolve around agriculture, the
mainstay of Naga economy. These festivals hark back to times prior to the
advent of Christianity.
A typical Naga meal consists of Rice, a meat dish, one or two boiled
vegetable dishes, and a chutney/pickle (Tathu). Rice is the main
carbohydrate source in the Naga diet and this region produces a number of
prized rice varieties, but rice is also imported into the region from other
states.
Agriculture
Agriculture employs about nine-tenths of the population. Rice, corn
(maize), small millets, pulses (legumes), oilseeds, fibres, sugarcane, potato,
and tobacco are the principal crops. Nagaland, however, still has to depend
on imports of food from neighbouring states. The widespread practice of
jhum has led to soil erosion and loss of soil fertility. Only the Angamis and
Chakhesangs of the southern regions of Kohima use terracing and irrigation
techniques. Traditional implements include the light hoe, the dao (a
multipurpose heavy knife), and the sickle; except in the plains, the plow is
not used. Forestry is also a primary source of income and employment.

Plant and animal life:

Amongst all the wildlife reserves of Nagaland, the most prominent one is
Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread over 202.02 sq km, Intanki Wildlife
Sanctuary is home to species like Hoolock Gibbon, Palm Civets, Sloth Bear,
Wild Dogs, Golden Langur, Tiger, Python, Flying Squirrel, and Monitor
Lizard. Mithun is the state animal of Nagaland, and the Blyth’s tragopan is
the state bird of Nagaland.
Forests cover about one-sixth of Nagaland. Below 4,000 feet (1,220 metres)
are tropical and subtropical evergreen forests, containing palms, rattan,
and bamboo, as well as valuable timber species (notably mahogany).
Rhododendron is the state flower of Nagaland.