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History and Geography
Manipur has a long and glorious history from the beginning of the Christian era. The recorded history of kingship started from 33 AD, which marked the coronation of Pakhangba. After Pakhangba, a series of kings ruled over the kingdom of Manipur. The independence and sovereignty of Manipur remained uninterrupted until the Burmese invaded and occupied it for seven years in the first quarter of the 19th century (1819-25). Then came British Paramountcy in 1891, and later on it was merged in the Indian Union as part ‘‘C’’ State on 15 October, 1949. This was replaced by a Territorial Council of 30 elected and 2 nominated members. Later in 1963, a Legislative Assembly of 30 elected and 3 nominated members was established under the Union Territories Act, 1962. The status of the administrator was raised from Chief Commissioner to the status of the Lt. Governor with effect from 19 December, 1969. Manipur attained full-fledged statehood on 21 January, 1972. With this, a Legislative Assembly consisting of 60 elected members was established.
Manipur is situated on the eastern frontier of India. It is bounded on the
east by Myammar (Burma), on the north by the State of Nagaland, on the west
by the State of Assam and on the south by the State of Mizoram and Myanmar.
Manipur lies between 23.830 N and 25.680 N latitude and between 93.030 E and
94.780 E longitude. It has an area of 22,327 sq. kms. Physically Manipur
comprises of two parts, the hills and the valley. The valley is at the centre
surrounded by hills on all sides. The hills cover about 9/10 of the total area of
the State. Manipur Valley is about 790 metres above the sea level. The hill
ranges are higher on the north and gradually diminish in height as they reach
the southern part of Manipur. The valley itself slopes down towards the south.
Agriculture
The State Agriculture Department now plans to go ahead with
commercialisation during the 10th Plan period. The department is focusing on (1) increasing cropping intensity from the present level of 138.30 per cent
by the end of 10th Plan (year 2006-07). (2) Increasing present level of farm
mechanisation, i.e., 0.1 HP/Ha. to 0.9 HP/Ha. (3) Improving the soil health
through amelioration of acid soil. (4) Minimising external dependence for
supply of seed inputs by strengthening infrastructure in state farms so that
gradually the state can produce its own requirement of seed inputs. (5) Giving
better protection to plants from insects pests and diseases through Integrated
Pest Management (6) Strengthening the existing training infrastructure for
better transfer of technology to the farmers (7) developing infrastructure for
agriculture research and (8) bringing a change in the cropping scenario in hill
areas of the state by introducing high yielding varieties of crops particularly
paddy, oil seeds and pulses for overall increase in agricultural production and
productivity to meet the demands of the increasing human population.
Forest
Total area under forest cover is 17,219 sq.km of which 6,536 sq.km falls under
dense forest while 10,681 sq.km falls under open forest. The forest cover
accounts for 77.12 per cent of the State’s geographical area. Siroy hill range in
Ukhrul District, Manipur is the abode of Siroy Lily (Lilium macklineae), the
flower which is not found elsewhere in the world. The Dzuko valley is also the
only habitat of the endemic and the rarest species Dzuko Lily (Lilium
chitrangade). Manipur is the only spot on earth in which the Brow-Antlered
Deer (Cervus eldi eldi) locally known as Sangai is found. This rare deer is
surviving in its natural habitat at the Keibul Lamjao
This habitat was declared as a National Park in the year 1977 covering
an area of 40 sq. km. It is unique in its own physical feature as the park
lies submerged under water covered entirely on the surface by a floating
entangled mass of vegetation like grass, shrubs and earth, called phumdi.
The deer survives on top of this phumdi. The conservation measures taken
up by the State has led to the rise of Sangai Population from a mere 14
animals in the year 1975 to 180 in the year 2003.
The other area already declared as protected area besides Keibul
Lamjao National Park is the Yangoupokpi - Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary
with an area of 184.40 sq. km. It is situated at Chandel District and is
located on the Indo-Malayan Zoogeographical Zone. The Malayan Sun
Bear is found in this wildlife sanctuary.
The State is very rich in bio-diversity, large areas are still virgin
forests. These are the habitats of very rare plants of rich medicinal value
like Taxus baccata, ginseng, etc. It is also the home of many rare orchids
and ferns.
Irrigation
Major and Medium Irrigation had been introduced in the State from 1980.
So far 8 (eight) Major and Medium Irrigation & Multipurpose Projects
have been taken up, of which 5 (five) projects had been completed up to
the end of Eighth Plan.
Irrigation potential of 28,500 Ha has been created with utilisation of
21,850 Ha. In addition 1,200 Ha and 900 Ha of low lying areas of
Loushipat and Poiroupat respectively has been reclaimed by Thoubal
Project. Running & Maintenance Schemes are on the pipe line for bridging
the gap between potential created and actual utilised. 4 MGD of raw water
is supplied to the State Public Health Engineering Department from
Singda Multipurpose Project for water supply. 5 MGD of raw water is also
being supplied from Khuga Multipurpose Project to state PHED from
2007.
At present, the State Government has given special attention to
accelerate the progress of the three ongoing projects and to achieve
completion of Khuga Multipurpose Project in 2006, Thoubal Multipurpose
Project and Dolaithabi Barrage in 2008. The State Government is continuing
investigation works for taking up new projects under State Plan as well as
funding by NEC.
Commerce and Industries
Handloom industry is the largest cottage industry providing maximum
employment in the state. This industry has been flourishing since time
immemorial. One of the special features of the industry is that women are
the only weavers. Food Processing is another popular industry in Manipur.
In view of the importance of the industry, State Government has established
a Food Processing Training Centre and Food Processing Training Hall at
Imphal.
A food Park is also being set up at Imphal.
Border trade between India and Myanmar had been introduced form
1995. The Department of Commerce and Industries of the State Government
has been acting as a liaisoning agent for promotion and development of
Border Trade. To promote Border Trade, the Warehouse, Conventional Hall
and Stay Facility Centre have been set up at border town Moreh. The
Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Camp office has been opened in
the Directorate of Commerce & Industries Complex, Imphal. A Trade
Centre has also been established at Imphal.
Power
The installed capacity of the State is over 42,750 and more than 2,000 villages have been electrified. Power supply position showed a marked improvement with the availability of power from the Central Sector Generating Stations, i.e., Loktak HE Project (NHPC), Kopili HE Project, Khandong HE Project, Doyang HE Project, Rangnadi HE Project and AGBPP, Kathalguri and AGTPP, Ramchandranagar (all NEEPCO).
Commerce and Industry
The State Government continues to exert all its efforts as a facilitator for industrialisation of the State with due emphasis on the prospective and potential areas. Handloom is the most popular traditional industry providing maximum employment in the State.
With the introduction of Border Trade between India and Myanmar in 1995, the Department of Commerce and Industries of the State Government has been acting as a liaisoning agent for promotion and development of Border Trade.
Transport
Roads: Imphal, the capital of Manipur is joined by road (NH-39) with Nagaland on the north, and Myanmar on the east, Assam on the west by NH-53, and Mizoram on the south by NH-150.
The State has 7,599 km of roads, both metalled and unmetalled. The length of roads consists of National Highway 967 km, State Highway 675 km, District roads 1,977 km and Village roads 4,947 km.
Aviation: Imphal airport is the only airport, which is linked with other stations in the region by Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Alliance Air. The Indian Airlines flights connect Imphal with Guwahati and New Delhi, while Jet Airways Flights connect Imphal with Guwahati and Kolkata. Alliance Air connects Imphal with Aizawal, Silchar, Kolkata and Guwahati.
Railways: The State is included in the railway map of India with the opening
of a rail head at Jiribam in May 1990. It is 225 km from Imphal. Dimapur, 215
km from Imphal is the nearest rail-head. The Prime Minister of India laid
foundation stone for a new railway line ( Jiribam - Tupul Railway line) on 20
November 2004. The survey works for construction of the railway line has
been completed.
Festivals
A year in Manipur represents a cycle of festivities. Hardly a month passes by without a festival. Important festivals of the State are: Dol-jatra, Lai haraoba, Rasa Leela, Cheiraoba, Ningol Chakouba, Rath-Jatra, Id-ul-Fitr, Imoinu Iratpa, Gaan-Ngai, Lui-Ngai-ni, Id-ul-Zuha, Yaoshang (Holi), Durga Puja, Mera Houchongba, Diwali, Kut and Christmas, etc.
Tourist Centres
Blessed with a salubrious climate and landscapes languishing in natural beauty and scenic splendour, the state extends to the tourists a warm welcome to visit again and again. Some important tourist centres in Manipur are: Shree Govindajee temple, Khwairamband Bazar (Ima Keithel), War cemeteries, Shaheed Minar, Nupi Lan (Women’s War) Memorial Complex, Khonghampat Orchidarium, INA Memorial (Moirang), Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Bishnu Temple at Bishnupur, Sendra, Moreh, Siroy Village, Siroy Hills, Dzuko Valley, State Museum, Kaina Tourist Home, Khongjom War Memorial Complex, etc.
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