asianaffairs-Dec 2007

India Tourism

ENCHANTING NAGALAND

  The state of Nagaland, in India’s northeast, has a thickly-wooded mountainous terrain with clear streams cutting a path through its numerous valleys. An unexplored paradise, Nagaland offers breathtaking scenery, exotic flora and fauna, a “laid-back” environment and the inherent hospitality of the Naga people. Nagaland is a place where you can put the brakes on, recharge your energy, feel good about yourself, go back to basics and learn to appreciate life and Mother Nature.
   A land with more than a 100 tribes, Nagaland covers an area of 16,488 sq. km. It is encircled by Assam in the north and west, by Burma and Arunachal Pradesh in the east, and Manipur in the South. The state is dominated by Naga communities and, hence, it forms a single cultural region generally definable by common cultural and linguistic traditions.
   Nagaland has a unique blend of the ancient and modern, of Eastern and Western, and is the only state in India where English is the official language.

Other attractions

Flora and Fauna: The variations in the altitude, climate and soil have given rise to a diversity of forest types, ranging from tropical evergreen to temperate evergreen and the coniferous. The largest rhododendron in the world is found in Nagaland. Bamboo groves are extensive everywhere. Among the common species, mention may be made of the Naga Bhe and plants such as Mesuaferrea, Careyaarbotrea and Fiscus Electica. On the hill slopes are found oak, chestnut, birch, magnolia, cherry, maple, laurel and fig. Pine trees are found at higher altitudes, varying from 3,000 to 4,000 feet.
Nagaland is the meeting ground for the sub-Himalayan, Indian, Chinese and Burmese fauna. Elephants, tigers, barking deer and sambar are found in the state. Monkeys, jackals, wild buffaloes, wild pigs, bear and wild dogs are sparsely distributed through the Naga Hills.

Dzukou Valley: This valley is tucked away at 2,438 metres. From June to September, the entire valley is covered with a carpet of wild flowers. Here, you are completely at peace with nature. The valley is ringed by hills and natural caves and is ideal for camping.

Japfu Peak: Scaling the Japfu peak at 3,048 metres can be tiring, but the expansive vista of natural beauty compensates the effort put in. The range is covered by mist at the break of dawn, adding to its mystic beauty.

Kohima War Cemetery: Kohima War Cemetery offers space for a contemplative stroll. This is a symbolic memorial raised to the sacrifices made by the officers and men of the allied forces, to halt the tide of the Japanese onslaught during the Second World War. This was their last post. The cemetery is beautifully and meticulously maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Wildlife Sanctuaries: Nagaland boasts of several sanctuaries, each different in terms of variety and scenic beauty. The Fakim Sanctuary is close to the Myanmar border, receives high rainfall and is home to some of rare species of flora and fauna. The Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary is the home to some rare species of birds and the Hoolock Gibbon, the only Gibbon found in India.

Tourist Permits

Domestic tourists visiting Nagaland are required to obtain an Inner Line Permit. These permits are issued by: The Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, 29 Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi; Additional Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, 12 Shakespeare Sarani, Kolkata; Assistant Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, Nongrim Hills, Shillong, Meghalaya; Assistant Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, Guwahati, Assam. It is also issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, Nagaland.
Foreign Tourists need a Restricted Area Permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi.

Courtesy: India Digest

How to reach

By Air: The nearest airport is Dimapur (74 km from the state capital Kohima), which is air-linked with Kolkata.
By Rail: Dimapur also serves as the nearest railhead, and is connected with some of the major cities of India.
By Road: By road, Kohima is accessed by National Highway 39. Kohima is well connected by this road from Dimapur.

Best time to visit: You can visit Nagaland throughout the year.

Where to stay

Nagaland offers a range of accommodation from spare and simple to deluxe.

For more information, visit:
www.indiatourism.com
www.nagaland.nic.in
www.hcilondon.net

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