Pherzawl district is an administrative district in the southern part of the state of Manipur in north-eastern India. It was carved out of the erstwhile Churachandpur district in 2016 as part of a major reorganisation of Manipur's districts, and has its headquarters at Pherzawl town.
Key facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| State | Manipur |
| Country | India |
| Region | North-East India |
| Headquarters | Pherzawl |
| Date of formation | 8 December 2016 |
| Parent district | Churachandpur district |
| Type | Revenue district |
Overview
Pherzawl district lies in the hill country of southern Manipur, bordering the state of Mizoram to the south and the Churachandpur district to the north and east. The terrain is largely hilly and forested, forming part of the broader hill ranges that extend from the Mizo Hills into Manipur. The Tuivai and Barak river systems drain parts of the district.
History
Until 2016, the area now constituting Pherzawl district was part of the larger Churachandpur district. On 8 December 2016, the Government of Manipur, headed by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, announced the creation of seven new districts in the state. Pherzawl was one of them, formed by bifurcating Churachandpur district. The reorganisation was contentious and led to protests in several parts of Manipur, particularly in the hill districts and from groups concerned about its impact on existing administrative and ethnic boundaries.
Demographics and society
The population of Pherzawl district is predominantly tribal, with communities belonging to the Hmar, Paite, Vaiphei, Zou, Thadou and other Kuki–Zo groups forming the majority. Christianity is the principal religion, and church-based institutions play a significant role in education and community life. Mizo, Hmar and other Kuki–Zo languages are widely spoken, alongside English and Manipuri for official and inter-community communication.
Administration
The district is headed by a Deputy Commissioner and a Superintendent of Police, who oversee revenue administration and law and order respectively. For administrative purposes, the district is divided into sub-divisions, with Pherzawl serving as the district headquarters. Other notable settlements include Parbung, Tipaimukh and Vangai range areas.
Economy and infrastructure
The economy is largely agrarian, dominated by jhum (shifting) cultivation along with settled farming of rice, maize and vegetables in valley pockets. Horticulture, including cultivation of oranges and other fruits, supplements household incomes. Connectivity to the rest of Manipur has historically been limited by terrain, and improving road links to Churachandpur and Imphal has been a recurring development priority.
Geography
The district forms part of the southern hill belt of Manipur. The Tuivai river, a tributary of the Barak, flows through parts of the district. Tipaimukh, the confluence point of the Tuivai and Barak rivers near the Manipur–Mizoram boundary, lies in this region and has been associated with proposals for a major hydroelectric project.
Related topics
References
- Wikidata: Q28173809
- Government of Manipur, notifications on the creation of new districts, December 2016.