Land and the People

THE LAND

More than 67 per cent of the total area of Manipur is covered with the sub-Himalayan forest. Interestingly the state has a fascinating topography – an oval-shaped valley in the centre surrounded by an outer area of rugged hills. Depending upon the altitude, the vegetation varies from tropical semi-evergreen to pines and moist deciduous. Varieties of flora found in the state include pines, bamboos, oak, teak, and types of reeds; rubber, cardamom and coffee and vast tracts of paddy fields.

ECONOMY

The state has made significant advance in the agriculture. The main crop of the state is paddy. More than 70% of the high yielding varieties of paddy are locally bred, Punshi, Phouoibi Moirang Phou and KD.

Handloom is one of the biggest industries in Manipur. There are more than 3 lakh spindles and at least 3 lakh persons are employed in the field. The Manipur Spinning Mill, established in 1974 has grown to use 16,416 spindles. The Khandsari Sugar Factory, a TV assembly unit and a cycle assembly unit are working in full swing.

Manipur is the first to introduce Oak Tasar Industry. There are more than 75 Tasar Farms in the hills and the valley, practicing mulberry rearing in traditional ways producing 45,000 kg of raw silk annually by reeling and spinning and utilise the same in handloom industry.

The State is on the railway map with the opening of a rail head at Jiribam in May, 1990.

THE PEOPLE

The Nagas and Kukis constitute about 34 per cent of the population of the state as Christians, the Manipuri Brahmins and Manipuri Muslims also constituted a substantial percentage of population of the state. Large sections of the population are followers of Vaishnavism. Sanamahism, a Meitei form of religion is the oldest practiced faith of the state which believes in the worship of the Sun God.

The State is a multi-cultural society consisting of 37 recognised Scheduled Tribes. It is also inhabited by other prominent communities, who came here as migrants from other Indian states like Marwaris, Bengalis, Biharis and Punjabis. The different communities live together in harmony. Manipur is also a culturally developed where theatre and fine arts are pursued as profession. The lists of the scheduled tribes are given below:

Aimol	Anal	Angami	Chiru	Chothe	Gangte
Hmar	Kabui	Kacha Naga	Koirao	Koireng	Kom
Kharam	Lamkang	Lushai	Mao	Maram	Maring
Monsang	Moyon	Paite	Poumei	Purum	Ralte
Sema	Simte	Suhte	Tarao	Tangkhul	Thadou
Vaiphei	Zou	Rongmei	Inpui	Zeme	Liangmai
Any Kuki tribes