Imphal West General information
Imphal West is a district of Manipur state in India
Geography
The Imphal West District falls in the Category of Manipur valley region. It is a tiny plain at the centre of Manipur surrounded by Plains of other districts. Imphal City, the State Capital is the nodal functional centre of this District. As a first glance, we may summarized as in the table.
It is surrounded by Senapati District on the north, on the east by Imphal East and Thoubal districts, on the south by Thoubal and Bishnupur Districts, and on the west by Senapati and Bishnupur Districts.
Climate
The district enjoys confortable temperature throughout the year; not very hot in summer and not very cold in winter. Over all the climatic condition of the district is salubriouces and monsoon tropical. The whole district is under the influence of the monsoons characterised by hot and humid rainy seasons during the summer, and cool and dry seasons during the winter. Temperature ranges from minimum of 0o C to maximum of 36oC. the average annual rainfall based on the meteorological data published for the years 1991-99 is 1259.5 mm. The district gets rainfall from the South-West monsoon.
Soil
The valley area of imphal West district is fertile land and is mainly made up of alluvial soil of recent origin. The valley was once full of swamps and marshy lands, the important ones being Lamphelpat, Takyelpat, Sangaipat, Kakwapat, Poiroupat (pat means lake). The soil are mainly made up of shallow black, brown and alluvial soils which have been technically classified as Udalfs-Ochrepts and Orchrepts-Aquepts-Fluvents.
Rivers
Main rivers draining Imphal west plain are Imphal river, Nambul river and their tributaries. The Nambul river is made up of a number of small streams on its upper course. The course of the river is short and its outlet falls on Loktak Lake. This river passes through Imphal Municipality area dividing its area into almost two equal halves. This river serves as the main dischargeing drainage of Imphal Bazar area and its surroundings. During rainy season, swift flowing of water directed to it from its tributaries can't be contained in it. As a result, breaking of its river bunds causing waterlogging in the low lying area is of regular feature.
Flora and Fauna
The district is endowed with a rich variety of vegetation. The prevailing climatic conditions are favourable for growing a wide range of herbs, shrubs, and also flowering and non-flowering trees. In addition, a variety of medicinal plants are also grown in the district. Few important varieties of non-fruit bearing trees, fruit bearing trees, etc of worth mentioning are Bamboos, Pepals, Kaubila, Eucalyptus, Amla, Parkai roxburgil (Yongchak), Arundo donax (yendhou), Carica papaya (papaya), Citrus grandia (Pamelo), Mangifera indica (Mango), Prunus domestics (plum), Prumus persica (peach), Pyrus selerotine (pear), Psidium guavaya (guava), Famarin dus indica (Tamarind).
The abundant existence of wild animals in the district is only of past story. Due to the heavy pressure on land and cleaning of forest land in the valley, the existenceof varieties of animals, birds, fauna are on fast decreasing trend. Fox, deer, wild pig, jungle cat, monkeys and leopards were the important animals once habited in the district. Of which, monkeys are said to be the only animal available in the district (in the premises of Hanuman Thakur mandir at Mahabali). A large variety of birds are found in the district. The common birds available in the district are sparrow, swallow, owl, myna, pigeon, nightingale, king fisher, wood pecker, heren, kite, etc.
Access
Air: Indian Airlines connect Imphal, the capital of Manipur, with major cities like New Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati and Silchar. NEPC Airlines has daily flights to Imphal from Guwahati, and Indian Airlines 6 days in a week from Kolkata to Imphal.
Rail: Dimapur town of Nagaland, 215 kms from Imphal, is the nearest railhead. Another railhead is Jiribam, a small town in Manipur 225 kms from Imphal.
Road: Imphal is connected by road with Guwahati (Assam) through National Highway No. 39 and Silchar (Assam) through National Highway No. 53.
Culture
Its own art-forms and cultural expressions and ramifications distinctly showcase Manipur to the world. Its famous classical dance remains unique in all Manipuri dance forms whether it’s folk, classical or modern and has a different style and gesture of movement.
The Rasa Lila, the epitome of Manipuri classical dance reveals the sublime and the transcendental love of Krishna and Radha, and Gopis’ devotion to the Lord. It is generally performed at night in a Mandop in front of a temple and watched with a deep sense of devotion. Ras performances are seasonal and varied, and performed at the temple of Shri Shri Govindajee at Imphal on the nights of Basanta Purnima, Sarada Purnima and Kartik Purnima and at local temples later. As for the composition, the performance is a combination of solo, duet and group dances. The highly stylised form of dance has sublimity, subtlety and grace. The richness of the costume gives lustre to the beauty of the art.
Nupa Pala (Kartal cholom or Cymbal dance) is ramification of the Manipuri style of dance and music. It is normally performed by male artists using cymbals and wearing white pheijom (dhoti) and spherical turbans. They sing and dance to the rhythm of Pung (Mridanga).
Another important characteristic of Manipuri dance is the Khamba-Thoibi dance which is a duet performance of male and female dancers. Khmaba-Thoibi dance along with the Maibi dance (Priestess dance), Laima Jagoi, etc. form the Lai Haraoba dance.
Love of art and beauty is inherent in the people and it is difficult to find a Manipuri girl who cannot sing or dance. Manipuris are artistic and creative by nature. This has found expression in their handloom and handicraft products which are world-famous for their designs, ingenuity, colourfulness and usefulness.
Each ethnic group has its own distinct culture and tradition deeply embedded in its dances, music, customary practices and pastimes.
Economy
When compare woth other districts on Manipur, Imphal West district is progressed in industries Handloom abd handicrafts and other traditional cottage and small scale industries, however constitute the bulk of the industrial units. Important products which are manufactured both for local needs and export are bed sheet, pillow cover, shawl, scarf, mosquito net, curtain, phanek (loincloth for women), chadar, etc. of various designs and colours. Blacksmithy, Jewellery, cane and bamboo works, etc. are other important cottage industries. In the small scale sector, there are industries like carpentry and wooden furniture, saw mill, rice and flour mill, iron and steel works, repairing of cycles and automobiles, tailoring and embroidery, tyre retreating and vulcanising, etc. Among the large and medium industries are spinning Mill at Loitang Khunou and the Industrial Estate at Takyel for assemble of low cost bi-cycles and TV sets etc.