Tamenglong district
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Tamenglong district
I
Tamenglong today: An introspection
By : Dr K S Rongmei
[ TheSangaiExpress]
Tamenglong is the name of a district of Manipur located in the western region of the state. It is mainly the home of one of the ethnic groups who call themselves boldly with pride as Rongmei. It is scenically a beautiful place situated on the lofty mountain top where Rongmei people strongly feel the touchysense of clear sky with their handsevery morning. Human mind and pen could not sufficiently describe its natural scenic beauty that the almighty God had so perfectly designed. It is a place with all the comfortable climates and fresh natural products that nature provides for the dwellers to live a healthy life. It is also a birth place of one and only a blessed pioneer Haipou Jadonang Malangmei, the man who possess all the necessary qualities to be called a savior of the communities. Since the time of British in the year 1919 the first sub-division office in Manipur Hills was set up in this place. It became a full-fledged district in 1969 and the first Deputy Commissioner was posted. It was known as Manipur West District however, finally, it was renamed as Tamenglong District (Census, 2001).
In this exotic place, people of same culture, custom, tradition, religion, language, food habits, life style live closely together making a classless, casteless or creedless society. Socially they practice humility, hospitality and concerned for one another as their way of life. They enjoy the fullest satisfaction in term of livelihood management blessed with resourceful natural products. However, modern technological application and approach is felt an urgent necessity to develop the abundant raw resources. Here special developmental attention is sought from Civil and Govt. sector to initiate resource development and management undertaking in the District. The District is known for its many virgin forest resources, viable tourist attract Natural resources, riches of underground mineral resources etc which can be a perpetual sustainable generating sources for survival of the people. Brief Demographic Profile of Tamenglong
This district is bounded by Nagaland state in the north, Senapati district in the northeast, Churachandpur district in the south and by Imphal West district and Assam state in the west. In 2011 census Tamenglong district become the least populous district of Manipur (140,143). The district occupies an area of 4391 sq km. It has a population density of 32 inhabitants per square kilometer. Its population growth ratereaches up to 25.69%. Sex ratio of 953 females for every 1000 males,and a literacy rate of 70.4%.. Altitude lies (above MSL) 1260 m, Latitude (HQ) 24.59 N Longitude (HQ) 93.30 E, Humidity 76 (Min) 92 (Max), Rainfall (HQ) 3135 mm, and Temperature 31oC (Max) 4oC (Min). All this demographic profile shows the normal ranges which are favorable habitation. When nature has given so much of potential resources, the backward position can be turned to forward or advance area if these naturally available resources are properly tapped and developed.
Many govt. developmental works during these six decades since independence were implemented in various departments directly by govt. or through public of Tamenglong. However, no significant sign of changes and prosperity were observed so far. Today the district remains one among the most backward district of the state as well as of India. A serious study and practical developmental undertaking need to be emphasized for the District. Road and communication condition and systemare in very pathetic and deplorable state which is directly barring all developmental activities in the district. The facts should be addressed on a priority basis. Regenerating the society with new and wider mental outlook is the need of the hour. Let us consider certain factors leading to the backwardness of the District:
1. Communication and transportation problems: When the world is pacing fast in the fifth generation in terms of communication and mass media development turning this world a global village, Tamenglong district remains remote and distant from net-working world, subsequently people are still under backward and remote to the rest of the world. Mobile connection is one sure example indicating the neglected and backwardness of the community and district as a whole. Having so used to the deficient system of people administration and remote position from information of the world, the people are so satisfied and habituated that they do not have any complain. They don’t even have the courage or knowledge the where about and how to information for such inquiry. Latest and current technological information and accessibility Right to information (RTI), UDHR, UDIR are still a new and rare to the people of Tamenglong. One appalling and dismal condition the people of Tamenglong are facing is road and transportation, which often claims lives by frequent accident due to terrible road condition. Many sick death on the way to hospital caused by deadly jerking of vehicles. Whom do we blame? TheGovt.? The people representatives or the people?
2. Road and Transportation connectivity: The road coverage in the district is very limited and in a very poor condition. Only NH-53 (NH- 37) and three State Highways- IT Road, Old Cachar Road and Tamenglong-Khongsang Road passes through and connecting the district. Presently the only NH-53 running between Imphal and Jiribam / Silchar having some 200kms and Tamenglong-Khongsang Road (39.5 km) are but barely motorable round the year. There are considerable disparities within the district e.g. 56.33 percent villages in the Nungba sub-division are not covered by any road whereas in Tamei sub-division 59.615 percent are without any movable road. The district has no railway connectivity and the nearest airport is at Imphal, 153 km away from the district headquarter (Census, 2011) we all can simply imagine the type of problems villagers of the district are facing. If the proposed and the acceptance of the Central Govt. in principle for the conversion of the following Road connectivity is materialized:- 1) Road from Bishnupur to Haflong via Rengpang, Khongsang, Tamenglong and Tousem into NH53 (A) and 2) Road from Kangpokpi to Haflong via Tamei, Tamenglong and Tousem into NH39 (A) to link with Super Highway NH54 Lumding to Silchar, then, that can be a big lift and relief for the people. It is the entire responsibility of every citizen of the district to improve the condition of the ill-fated district. There is no reason for slacking, indifference, or making excuse from participating in the move for bringing or making the proposed project into a reality.
3. Geographical strata: The landmass of this district is believed to have been formed due to orogenic movement during cretaceous and Eocene period. The main rock formations of the district are sandstone, shale, schist which is weak and fragile in nature. It can easily cause sudden landslide during rainy season (Census, 2011). More attention and precaution is required to avert any possible natural disaster that may occur in such loose and unstable type of landmass. Proper policy and precautionary measures should be formulated and made informed to the people to prevent, reduce or manage any natural eventuality. The Govt. of India through the state Govt. should look into the matter with utmost attention; forming a disaster management committee in the District with special provision made available for effective service delivery.
4. Education: Provision for easy access to proper and adequate education facilities and opportunities should be extended to and for the community. Education being the back bone of development must be prioritized and its importance made well informed to the people through concerned department. The present reality and constraining condition is that, many parents could not afford to send their children to better school or colleges with such poor background learning experience from the district level education. The result of which many of our students could not excel or compete with the better off children from the advanced districts. When students of the district could not compete with other better off students, due to lack of quality education or even basic education program in the district, disappointments leads them to frustration and relinquishes their study and classed them as dropouts. Many students were dropped out from the schools and colleges during their early stages. These dropped outs turned to trouble makers in the society by resorting to illegal means of finding their own survival and pleasure.Concern that even a basic education cannot be properly introduced in the districthow can we think of higher and technical education, or expect the students to achieve better in their studies?
II
Tamenglong today: An introspection
By : Dr K S Rongmei
he following table indicates the rate and ratio of dropped outs showing the factual picture of the district devoid of proper educational infrastructure. Gross and Net Enrolment Ratio and dropout rate in Tamenglong district-2005-06
Sources: govt., of Manipur Education Department The GER/NER data clearly reveals high incidence of drop outs from primary to upper primary level. The NER at the upper primary level is less than half the ratio at the primary level. Further, although at the primary level the NER for boys and girls is same, at the upper primary level, the ratio is higher among girl students which indicates the male drop out is higher at the upper primary level.
5. Medical Facilities Enhancing medical facilities and accessibility to the people is one top concern, the Govt. should put in mind. The saying, ‘Health is Wealth’ stands true to all people at all time. Enhancing medical services is enhancing human life. It is building the health and wealth of the society and nation as well. Many incidents of untimely deaths took place in the district that could have been averted or the lives saved had medical services and facilities readily available within easy reach. In many cases, due to lack of doctors, the sick go to local medicinal practitioners which proved tragedy.
The people have no other options than to go to local traditional healers. In many of the villages there is no PHC or DPHC and Hospitals are distant dream. When local healing practices fail to cure the sick, they desperately look for hospital or doctors taking the terminal patients to distant doctors and hospitals. Many patients succumb to sickness for lack of ready medical facilities. This is the life of many of the villagers of Tamenglong district even today. No proper family health counselling and genetics counseling facilities which are lifeline to the community are available. Life expectancy rates in other part of the State are generally increasing due to availability of various techniques of medical facilities still Tamenglong suffers from lack of basic surviving/or life saving drugs/medicines etc. Morbidity rate increases with the growing report of sicknesses in the district when centre announce health for all by 2000.
6. Market System: Tamenglong records the largest producer of oranges in the State. The fact have attracts the world and is one tourist destination of the State. The district is suitable for all kinds of horticultural crops such as Oranges, Parkia, Papaya, Royal Chilies, Pineapple, Lime, Coconut, Mango, Litchi, many wild fruits etc. which can be grown in large areas and in numbers. However, the yearly bearing oranges could not be exported to timely outside markets due to lack of marketing network. The only available market avenue is local sale and irregular outside customers. Every year heavy investment are being made for orange festival in which oranges are being displayed and sold which alone is the only best marketing avenue for the orange growers. The Income of oranges sale equals the expenditure of the festival.
Bulk of local fruits and vegetable products got rotten or spoiled while transporting to regular markets in distant places through rough roads. Lack of organized marketing facilities in the district has great disadvantage over the people. Some of the forest products that can be mentioned other than oranges are bamboo and its by-products like bamboo shoots, with its local preparations and products like cane and its craft etc. Many skilled products such as wood craft, bamboo and cane craft could not find a way out for sale for lack of market network. Different kinds of indigenous technology of crafts making skills and experts in the district are left un-used or not exposed which when encouraged and connected to outside market can flourish and prosper. They need to be encouraged by providing proper training programme and incentives so that the indigenous products associated with the cultural riches can be promoted as well as preserved. There are varieties of wild and fresh vegetable available which can be processed and produced as indigenous food items. Cold storage, preservative methods, and sale techniques and networking planning should be made available as essential market infrastructural programme of the district.
7. Tourist Place:
Tamenglong is a land of scenic site. The land with its natural designed and creation can be one of the prospective places for developing an indigenous tourist destination of the world. The land is naturally designed with beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, purified lakes, varieties of flora and fauna. There are also, culturally and historically associated places, like caves, monoliths, stone pavements made for weary farmers and travelers to rest and refresh. There are scenic rivers like Ahu, Alangand seven waterfalls in series at close range. The famous Tharon cave is located at about 27 kms from the district HQ. The legendary ZeiladLake at Makoi (Atengba) is associated with a number of pythons, fishes and water birds. There are six other lakes nearby GuiphopZei, NrouZei, Nap-samZei etc. he following table indicates the rate and ratio of dropped outs showing the factual picture of the district devoid of proper educational infrastructure. Gross and Net Enrolment Ratio and dropout rate in Tamenglong district-2005-06
Sources: govt., of Manipur Education Department The GER/NER data clearly reveals high incidence of drop outs from primary to upper primary level. The NER at the upper primary level is less than half the ratio at the primary level. Further, although at the primary level the NER for boys and girls is same, at the upper primary level, the ratio is higher among girl students which indicates the male drop out is higher at the upper primary level.
5. Medical Facilities Enhancing medical facilities and accessibility to the people is one top concern, the Govt. should put in mind. The saying, ‘Health is Wealth’ stands true to all people at all time. Enhancing medical services is enhancing human life. It is building the health and wealth of the society and nation as well. Many incidents of untimely deaths took place in the district that could have been averted or the lives saved had medical services and facilities readily available within easy reach. In many cases, due to lack of doctors, the sick go to local medicinal practitioners which proved tragedy.
The people have no other options than to go to local traditional healers. In many of the villages there is no PHC or DPHC and Hospitals are distant dream. When local healing practices fail to cure the sick, they desperately look for hospital or doctors taking the terminal patients to distant doctors and hospitals. Many patients succumb to sickness for lack of ready medical facilities. This is the life of many of the villagers of Tamenglong district even today. No proper family health counselling and genetics counseling facilities which are lifeline to the community are available. Life expectancy rates in other part of the State are generally increasing due to availability of various techniques of medical facilities still Tamenglong suffers from lack of basic surviving/or life saving drugs/medicines etc. Morbidity rate increases with the growing report of sicknesses in the district when centre announce health for all by 2000.
6. Market System: Tamenglong records the largest producer of oranges in the State. The fact have attracts the world and is one tourist destination of the State. The district is suitable for all kinds of horticultural crops such as Oranges, Parkia, Papaya, Royal Chilies, Pineapple, Lime, Coconut, Mango, Litchi, many wild fruits etc. which can be grown in large areas and in numbers. However, the yearly bearing oranges could not be exported to timely outside markets due to lack of marketing network. The only available market avenue is local sale and irregular outside customers. Every year heavy investment are being made for orange festival in which oranges are being displayed and sold which alone is the only best marketing avenue for the orange growers. The Income of oranges sale equals the expenditure of the festival.
Bulk of local fruits and vegetable products got rotten or spoiled while transporting to regular markets in distant places through rough roads. Lack of organized marketing facilities in the district has great disadvantage over the people. Some of the forest products that can be mentioned other than oranges are bamboo and its by-products like bamboo shoots, with its local preparations and products like cane and its craft etc. Many skilled products such as wood craft, bamboo and cane craft could not find a way out for sale for lack of market network. Different kinds of indigenous technology of crafts making skills and experts in the district are left un-used or not exposed which when encouraged and connected to outside market can flourish and prosper. They need to be encouraged by providing proper training programme and incentives so that the indigenous products associated with the cultural riches can be promoted as well as preserved. There are varieties of wild and fresh vegetable available which can be processed and produced as indigenous food items. Cold storage, preservative methods, and sale techniques and networking planning should be made available as essential market infrastructural programme of the district.
7. Tourist Place: Tamenglong is a land of scenic site. The land with its natural designed and creation can be one of the prospective places for developing an indigenous tourist destination of the world. The land is naturally designed with beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, purified lakes, varieties of flora and fauna. There are also, culturally and historically associated places, like caves, monoliths, stone pavements made for weary farmers and travelers to rest and refresh. There are scenic rivers like Ahu, Alangand seven waterfalls in series at close range. The famous Tharon cave is located at about 27 kms from the district HQ. The legendary ZeiladLake at Makoi (Atengba) is associated with a number of pythons, fishes and water birds. There are six other lakes nearby GuiphopZei, NrouZei, Nap-samZei etc.
III
Tamenglong today: An introspection
By : Dr K S Rongmei
The Buning (N-piulong) meadow is located on the western side of the picturesque Tamei town. A number of well-groomed uneven small mounts, numerous glittering brooks studded the stretch. The district is also called as the land of the Hornbill. Great pied Hornbill (Bucerosbicornishomrai), Indian pied Hornbill (Anthracocerosmalabaricusmalabaricus) species are found. A number of exquisite orchids that are epiphytic, litho-phytic and terrestrial in nature were also found in this district. Tourist development can be a great flourishing business of the people that will not only develop the people but also the land into one of the pride of the state. Great opportunities are left untouched which when developed could answer the needs of the people of the district.
Views that Development program of the state should be on the basis of equal distribution without ethnic based or valley or hill based consideration. Discriminative developmental program of the past which have resulted communal feelings in the state should be stopped if integrating of Manipur land and people is to be the common cause of the people.It is pertinent to recall and mention here a very popular verse from KhongjomParba of the Khongjom history, sung by Ibemni Debithat goes like this, “Fortified by hills and around Defended by hill people all around; The golden land of Manipur With similitude prevailed over”
It is often talk of integration of hills and valley people among the various ethnic communities but in actually ground reality is that the Govt. is doing the opposite creating many discriminative plan programs that promote ethnic discontentment and grievances. Views that, developmental schemesand Govt. infrastructural programs/project like NIT, High court, University, Industry, Tourist resorts, Historical monument etc should be introduced in equal distribution in the Hills and Valleyalike so that people connectivity and communication can be better exchanged and inter tribal/ethnic relation, understanding and sense of harmony could prevails among us. By doing so people will experience sense of sharing the problems, culture, custom and practicesof each other that will promote integration in this multi-ethnic society and state. Considering the above factors let us ponder the following reasons which can be stated as the cause of backwardness/ disintegrating elements that must be resolved:
1. That state government failed topayproper attentiontoward developing the hills tribal districts. Policy of sincere and equitable distribution of state wealth and facilities should be formulated and implemented.
2. Politiciansand social leaders less vision oriented interest toward social welfare activities. Indifference and inactive attitude make them incompetency to fight for justice, due share and their rights for the people in the Legislative Assembly.
3. Public and people in the districts are irresponsible, selfish and lack goodwill for the general society. They think that development works are of Govt. public leaders alone and they must do it.
4. Problems relating to Insurgency/UGs, like taxation, extortion, demand share percentage from contact work/construction of public work programs are factors leading to slow or nil development in the Hills districts.
5. The indifference attitude and ignorance of the state Govt. toward the sons of the soil living in Hill Districts of the state was one leading reason for creation of many complex issues of the state.
6. Unless due and adequate care and timely attention is given to the people of the Hill districts, greater ethnic issues may heighten the differences of the tribal people with the other communities
7. Irresponsible and incompetent representatives and leaders of the hills districts in the past are one major cause of the present backward condition of the tribal communities in the hills District.
8. Expecting or waiting a miracle to happen in your favor will not reward you, You have to work out your own
9. Absence of industrial developmental infrastructure in the district
10. Lack of grass-root and need based planning and programming
11. Concerned ministers and public leaders travelling with their luxury Boleros on the terrible road could not think of development because they are enjoying the luxurious status in the bed of thorns; can anyone think of development when they are in bed of roses?
For so long and many ministerial terms have come and gone representing the hills people. Many insurgencies, and patriotic groups and leaders/social organizationswere formed to bring about change in the society, however, instead of changing for the betterment of the society, degrading to a stage of destruction on the trend.The need of the hour is people participative action for social change in the way we live. We are responsible to solve our problems. Active thinking on common welfare of the ethnic groups or communities on the basis of humanity and sense of brotherhood can do away all self centered communalism, tribalism or all kind of sectionalism in the state.It appears that, many of the problems of the state are either created or complicated by the state Govt. in the act of delaying right action, justice orby discriminative action against minority by the majority.It is not only the responsible of the ministers/leaders/insurgence/public but responsible of all the citizens. Our united effort and action will create better hope and change the trouble torn societyof the state. Our continual negligence to act our part toward resolving our social problem will reward us of what we never want to face.
It is observed and concludes that, we should stop blaming game, antagonistic thinking, sectional selfish policy, social classification on the basis of hill and valley people, egoistic thinking, nepotism etc instead promote humanity and people participative action on common understanding of human values and dignity of human person. No power on earth can completely control human problem with war or physical dominance, discrimination but peace, love and respects can. Let us start cultivating logical reasoning, humane understandingand exercise sense of justice in the society without vested interest. It is considered to be true that, it is the inactivity of good and responsible citizens that destroys the society. If we are not the solution we cannot be any other than the problem or the trouble makers.
The writer is a (PDF)Post Doctoral Fellow in Manipur University.He can be connected through this e-mail: sanjit32001@yahoo.co.in
