NAGALAND NATURAL RESOURCES

Agriculture has traditionally been and continues to be the mainstay of Naga life-the numerous festivals are
centered on agriculture and have their roots in cultivation practices. Seventy-three percent of the people in
Nagaland are engaged in agriculture. Rice is the staple food. It occupies about 70 percent of the total cultivated
area and constitutes about 75 percent of the total food grain production in the State. Other crops include maize,
linseed, potato, pulses, soya bean, sugarcane, jute, gram, cotton, castor, etc. However, like most of the world's
tribal population, the production system in Nagaland has been close to proto-agriculture, which has enabled close
links between nature and people from Generation to generation.

i. Total Area

Sq. km

16,579

ii. Forest Cover

Sq. km (%)

13,345 (80.49%)

iii. Forest Area

Sq. km (%)

8,629 (52.04%)

iv. Area under Agriculture

Ha

3,89,120

a. Gross Sown Area

Ha

2,60,000

b. Net Sown Area

Ha

2,48,354

c. Area Sown More than Once

Ha

9,000

a. Irrigated Area

Ha

66,000

b. Net Irrigated Area

Ha

62,000

vi. Area under Shifting Cultivation

Sq km

190

vii. No. of Cultivators

in lakh

5.444

v. Area under Irrigation

viii No. of Agricultural Laborers

in lakh

ix. No. of Families Practicing Shifting Cultivation

0.338

1,16,046.

The forest cover is 80.49 percent of the total area of Nagaland. As such, forests represent the richest natural
resource of the State. Nagaland is also very rich in biodiversity with abundance of animal, insect and plant
species. The State has a wealth of herbal, medicinal and aromatic plants with tremendous economic potentials.
Wildlife Divisions under Chief Wildlife Warden:

Dimapur Wildlife Division

Kiphire Wildlife Division

Sanctuaries, National Parks & Zoological Parks:

Dimapur

Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar

Kiphire

Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary

Mon

Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary

Peren

Intanki National

Status of Forests as on 31.01.2010:

State's geographical area

16579 Sq.Kms.

Forests

8629 Sq.Kms. i.e. 52.04%

Areas under Different Land use in Nagaland (Area in Sq.Km.):

Forest

8629.30

Land under Agriculture use

278.62

Land under miscellaneous tree Crops and grooves

1242.52

Cultivable wasteland

725.34

Cultivable non forest area (CNFA)

3214.00

Net area sown

1867.00

Area sown more than once

360.00

Purchased Forests:

Total Land Purchased by Department

192.47 Sq.Km

Management of Forests:

Joint Forest Management (JFM)

Constitution of Village Level Community Forest Committee (CFC)

Revised Operational Guidelines of National Afforestation Programme (NAP) 2009

Protection of Forests:

Intensification of Forest Management (IFM)

Infrastructure Development

Forest Fire Control and Management

Forest Policy:

National Forest Policy, 1988

Goal : One third of the geographical area under forest cover by 2012 (20% in the plain areas and 60% in the
hills)
Forest Utilization:

Coordinated timber supplies to tea factories, collieries, etc.

Procured 72,926 kgs of barbed & distributed to 15 Forest Divisions

Fitting and fixing of fences to ensure protection of forests

Procured 1000 Nos. of LPG connection for distribution among villagers.

Forestry Research:

Creation of Central Nursery and Raising of Quality Seedlings

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) on Medicinal Plants (MP)

Establishment of Sample plots/Demonstration Nursery plots at Phezha (Chiephoubozou) and Jalukie.

Year of Plantation (2010):

Raised large quantities of quality seedlings of various species

Wildlife Conservation & Management:

Nagaland Zoological Park, Rangapahar

Houses 76 animals.

Raising of Forest Protection Force

66 Forest Guards and 20 Foresters recruited.

Medicinal Plants:
Initiated creation of Herbal Gardens at (Khezhakeno Chui, Rangapahar Zoological Park, Jalukie, Mokokchung,
Doyang, Narongtongpi and Aizuto
Mineral Wealth:
Coal, limestone, nickel, cobalt, chromium, magnetite, copper, zinc, and recently discovered platinum, petroleum
and natural gas are the major minerals available in Nagaland. The State has huge caches of unutilized and
unexploited limestone, marble, granite, petroleum and natural gas. Coal is found in Nazira, Borjan and Teru
valley of Mon district. Limestone of grey to whitish grey colour is found at Wazeho and Satuza in Phek district and
at Nimi belt in Tuensang district. Ores of nickeliferrous chromite-magnetite occur in the Ultra Basic Belt at
Pokhpur in Tuensang district. Nagaland is yet to fully explore its huge estimated reserves of natural oil.
The hydrocarbons are found in the western portion of Nagaland, where connectivity is available in the foothills.
The metallic and non-metallic minerals are located in the remote and backward eastern parts bordering Myanmar,
ideal for export to the South East Asian region. If the discovered minerals are economically exploited, these
would turn out to be a rich resource base and the mineral-related trade can make a huge contribution to the
State economy. Unfortunately, though the potential exists, not much has been achieved so far due to funding and
planning process constraints. In this connection, the proposed 'X Road' of the Government could provide good
connectivity for exploiting the mineral wealth of the State and for trade and commerce both in the State and the
country and with South East and East Asian countries.
Mineral Exploration:

Carried out detailed assessment of limestone resources at Satuza,Wazeho, Molen, Mimi Ziphu, Salumi and
Kamku (Kamkhaong).

Chromium bearing magnetite ultramafite, Haematite at Reguri and Chalcedony deposit at Akhen Village
recorded.

Identification and preservation of geological monuments taken up.

Studies and assessment of natural lakes such as Shilloi Lake at Lacham, Dzuda (Zanibu) pond, Phek district,
Thizama pond Kohima, Tsumang pond at Wokha and Amoklushi pond at Mokokchung delineated and assessed.

3 geotourism potential sites at Yonthong, Yankhet and Tiphum with magnificent waterfalls and caves were
identified

Mineral Management:

Constituted Cabinet Sub-Committee on exploration and

development of Petroleum's and Natural Gas.

Internal Department Committee set up.

IDC framed resolution on ownership & transfer of land and its

resources.

IMPORTANT FESTIVALS & TIME OF CELEBRATIONS

Tribe

Festival

Month

Angami

Sekrenyi

February 25th

Ao

Moatsu

May 1st Week

Chakhesang

Sukrunyie

January 15th

Tsakhanyie

April 24th

Chang

Naknyulem

July 13th

Khiamniungan

Tsokm

October 1st Week

Kuki

Mimkut

January 17th

Konyak

Aoleang Monyu

April 1st to 3rd

Kachari

Bushu

January 27th

Lotha

Tokhu Emong

Novemebr 7th

Phom

Monyu

April 1st Week

Pochury

Yemshe

October 1st Week

Rengma

Ngada

November Last Week

Sumi

Tuluni

July 8th

Sangtam

Mongmong

September 1st Week

Yimchungr

Medmneo

August 4th to 8th

Zeliang

Meileingi

March

Langsimngi

Chegagadi

October

T.R. Zeliang
(Chief Minister)

Finance, Personnel & Administrative Reforms and any other portfolio(s) not allotted to
any Ministers.

Cabinet Ministers
Sh Kiyanilie Peseyie

Social Welfare, Parl. Affairs

Sh Yanthungo Patton

Home

Sh Tokheho Yepthomi

PHE

Sh Kipili Sangtam

Power

Sh Nuklutoshi

Mechanical, NH

Dr. Niekiesalie Nicky Kire

Forest. B.A.

Sh C.L. John

RD, REPA

Sh Paiwang Konyak

Transport & Civil Aviation, IT&C

Sh Yitachu

Sch. Edn, SCERT

Sh Y. Vikheho Swu

Roads & Bridges

Sh Chotisuh Sazo

Speaker

Important Functionaries