Karbi Anglong district General information
The people of Assam saw the birth of a new district i.e. the United Mikir and North Cachar Hills District on the 17th November'1951 . The new district was formally created on the aforesaid date vide Govt. notification No. TAD/R.31/50/201 Dtd. the 3rd November'1951 with some parts of the districts of Sivasagar (now Golaghat), Nagaon,Cachar and United Khasi and Jayantia Hills district of present Meghalaya for all round development of the tribal folk of the Central Assam. This was followed by bifurcation of the erstwhile district of United Mikir and North Cachar Hills district into two seperate districts under banner as "Mikir Hills" and North Cachar Hills district in the year 1970. The Mikir Hill district was again rechristened as "Karbi Anglong District" w.e.f the 14th October'1976 vide Govt. Notification No. TAD/R/115/74/47 Dtd. 14-10-1976. Thus Karbi Anglong came into being as a full fledged separate district in the map of Assam with its Head quarter at diphu. The district enjoys autonomy under the provision of Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. It is the Largest district of Assam.
History
During the British rule, the territory of the present district was part of the ‘Scheduled District’ constituted in 1874. Later, Mikir Hills tract was constituted as “Partially Excluded areas” under the Govt. of India Act, 1935. On November 17, 1951 a new district, the United Mikir Hills and North Cachar Hills district was created by combining some parts of the districts of Sibsagar (now Golaghat), Nagaon, Cachar and United Khasi and Jayantia Hills district of present day Meghalaya state. This was followed by bifurcation of the erstwhile district of United Mikir and North Cachar Hills district into two separate districts: Mikir Hill district and North Cachar Hills district on February 2, 1970. The Mikir Hill district was renamed as Karbi Anglong district on October 14, 1976.
Geography
The Karbi Anglong Distrcit is situated in the central part of Assam. It is bounded by Golaghat district in the east, Meghalaya and Morigaon district in the west, Nagaon and Golaghat district in the north and N.C. Hills district and Nagaland in the south. The district with dense tropical forest covered hills and flat plains is situated between 250 33' N to 26035' N Latitude and 92010' to 93050' E Longitude.
Climate
Due to variation in the topography, this hill zone experiences different climates in different parts. The winter commences from October and continues till February. During Summer, the atmosphere becomes sultry. The temperature ranges from 6 degree to 12 degree and 23 degree to 32 degree Celcius in summer. The average rainfall is about 2416 mm.
Population
The population of the district is predominantly tribal. The major tribal ethnic groups of this district are Karbis, Bodos, Kukis, Dimasas, Hmars, Garos, Rengma Nagas, Tiwas, Man(Tai Speaking’s). Besides, a large number of non-tribals also live together in this hill region.
River
There are numerous rivers and tributories in this district. Among these, the most important are as named below :-
1. Kopili River
2. Nambor River
3. Amreng River
4. Deopani River
5. Borpani River
6. Jamuna River
7. Kolioni River
8. Patradisha River
9. Dhansiri river
10. Longnit River
11. Dikharu River
12. Doigrung River
Forest
The forest area covered is about 4,922.019 sq. km with 14 State R.F. and 17 District Council R.F. in the district.
Mountain Peaks
Even though, the district is dotted with hills, a few of which can be categorized into Mountain. Among them, the highest is the Singhason Peak which is at about 1360 metres above the sea level.
Mineral
There are different kinds of minerals found in this hill district which are as below :-
1. Lime stone :- Found in the Dillai and Sainilangso.
2. China-clay :- Found in Upper Deopani and Silonijan area.
3. Feldspar :- Found in Koilajan area.
4. Coal :- Found in Koilajan and Silbheta.
Agriculture
The district is basically an agricultural district. Different types of agricultural crops are cultivated among which paddy is the main crop. Except for the valleys, the people follow the jhum system of cultivation.
Road and Communication:
The district is well connected with other districts through various routes. On the north it is covered by NH-36 and on the east by NH-39. The internal routes are covered by the P.W.D.
Railways
The N.F. railways passes through the district touching only a few points along the boundary. They are Hawaipur, Lamsakhang, Borlangphar, Langsoliet, Nilalung, Diphu, Doldoloi, Dhansiri, Rongapahar, Khotkhoti and Bokajan.
Airport
There is no airport in the district. The airport in Dimapur is 54 km away from Diphu being the nearest to the district.
Industries
Although the district is abundant in raw materials only a few industries have come up. They are as shown below :-
A. 1.Bokajan Cement Plant ; 2. Karbi Chemical Mini Cement Plant ( under construction)
B. AGRO-BASE :- 1. Rubber Plantation Industry ; 2. Citronella Plantation Industry ;
C. TEA GARDEN :- There are a total of 12 (Twelve) numbers of Tea Gardens in the district
Famous Place
Karbi Anglong or the land of the Karbis may well be called the heart-beat of Assam. This beautiful, large sprawling district lies in the centre of Assam. This enchanting hills district with its diversely rare flora and fauna has remained untouched and undiscovered. Mother nature has indeed been very generous to Karbi Anglong yet its potentialities for tourism remain sadly untapped.
The peculiarity in the topography of the district lies in the fact that there are actually two parts in this district. The western part part is bifurcated from the Eastern side by a part of Nogaon district. Thus we have the Hamren Sub-division on the Western part with its rolling hills,dense forests, Waterfalls, rivers abd streams. Come to the East and you are greeted with a combine of flat paddy lands, green hills interspersed with blue meandering rivers.
While summer in Karbi Anglong can be hot and humid and generally lasts from June to August, the remaining parts of the year are pleasant and bracing. The Peak season for tourists to visit the district is October to March.
AMRENG TOURIST CENTRE: Located at 120 Kms. from Diphu ; 30 Kms from Lanka (Nogaon District) Amreng is a river cape situated between Kapili river and its tributary "Amreng River" surrounded by mystic blue hills and evergreen forest, it is famous for unique natural beauty. Tourist Map had referred to it as Panimur, Koka Hills or Amreng, All the same area.The founder of the village named it as "RIVER CAPE INDIA". Tourist Lodge is on the river bank.
KHANDULI TOURIST CENTRE: Temperate grassland in Tropical country, Khanduli is Newzealand of East. Extensive grassland with undulating moulds which looks like desert sand dunes in the clear moonlight, 26 Kms. from Hamren Sub-Division , Head quarter of West karbi Anglong, on Jowai-Shillong Road, 70 Kms from Jowai,Meghalaya. This Location with with unattended beauty suitable for pensive study trip, seclusive honeymoon, family holidays throughout the year.
UMWANG TOURIST CENTRE: Umang is another temperate grassland, having characteristic similar features with Khanduli. The entire area of 35 sq. Km is high table land with natural grassland more or less flat surface and surrounded by one big river and one small perennial river on three sides. Situated at just 15 Kms. from Umroi Airport (Meghalaya), Umwang is adjacent to another tourist centre at Khanduli which will be connected by Birdle Path to facilitate beautiful trekking expedition of 12 Kms. and another tracking path of 16 Kms to Baithalangso Tikka Tourist Centre. Rafting and Angling expedition on river Barapani, golf course of 15 to 20 holes, horse riding, hang gliding expedition are suitable attractions of this centre.
TREKKING EXPEDITIONS: Expeditions to Singhason, the highest peak of the district with altitude of about 1600 mtrs. through rainforest, reverie, rocky hills with enchanting sight and sound. The expeditions will have additional thrill while evaluating with varieties of birds and animals including barking deer, pygmy hog, spotted deer, varieties of monkeys, langoors, birds of unspecified and specified varieties including Himalayan Horn Bills in their natural abode. During the 2nd World War the British had developed the hill top into an Army Air-Strip which remains in its original form and now provides a pleasant camp site for further development. This spot is also a natural watch tower of the entire Brahmaputra Valley, the snow cladded Himalayan ranges, the Patkai and Barail ranges as far as the eye permits. Further , expeditionist will experience the warm tropical climate maximum 35 degree C to 17 degree C in summer and 25 degree C to 10 degree C in winter within the 30 Km distance only.
KOHORA TOURIST RESORT: In Karbi Anglong context, Kaziranga is KOHORA and both are of same entity. Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary has peak season for four months and remaining eight months of the year is too long to keep dormant of revenue oriented organisation like tourism. Further Sanctuary visit involve an hour or less and tourist may require incentive activity for the remaining hours of the day. To fill up the gaps with viable activities were proposed which will not only create additional attractions, but also enhance the present infrastructure available.