Vegetation of Mizoram
- The name, Mizoram derived from Mi (people), Zo(high rise place such as hill) and Ram(land), thus, Mizoram means “Land of the hill people”.
- As situated in the northeast, it is the southernmost landlocked state sharing borders with three of the seven states namely Tripura, Assam and Manipur.
- Mizoram also Shares 404 kilometre border with Myanmar and 318 km with Bangladesh.
- The Mizo Hills were formally declared as a part of British India in 1989, north and south hills were united into a Lushai Hill Districts and it was under the administrative control of the British India.
- On 25th April 1952, The Lushai Hills Autonomous District Council came into being followed by the abolition of chieftainship in the Mizo Society.
- Like several other northeastern states of India, Mizoram was a part of Assam until 1972, when it was declared as a Union Territory.
- On 20th February 1987, it became the 23rd state of India, with Fifty-Third Amendment of Indian Constitution,1986.
- Mizoram is the fifth smallest state of India with 21,087 km2 (8,142 sq mi).
- It extends from 21°56’N to 24°31’N, and 92°16’E to 93°26’E.
- The tropic of cancer runs through the state nearly at its middle.
- Situated on a mountainous area with heavy rainfall of approximately 2500mm annually, Mizoram is richly endowed by nature with varieties of Flora and Fauna.
- Mizoram is anointing with a pleasant Climate; moderately hot during summer and extreme cold is unusual during winter.
- The south-west monsoon reaches the state around May and may last upto September.
According to India State of Forest report, 2015, an area of 18,748 Sq km which is 88.93% of the total geographical area of the state, i.e. 21,081 sq km is under Forest Area.
According to the report, Mizoram has an area of 138 sq km Very Dense Forest (VDF), 5,858 sq km of Moderately Dense Forest (MDF) and an area of 12,752 sq km of Open Forest (OF).
Forest types of Vegetation of Mizoram
Based on past studies as well as from the field observations, Singh et al. (2002) described the forest types of the State based mainly on altitude, rainfall and dominant species composition. The Classification is as follows:-
- Tropical Wet Evergreen Forest
- Montane sub-tropical Forest
- Temperate Forests
- Bamboo Forests
- Quercus Forests
Tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen forests:
- These forests usually occur below an altitude of 900m and form one of the major forest types of the Mizoram with rich Species diversity.
- Patches of these forests can be seen usually on the steep slopes, rocky and steady river banks and areas not suitable for shifting cultivation.
- The exact distinction between the evergreen and semi-evergreen forests is difficult as they occur in the areas of similar characteristics where rainfall Averages between 2,000-2,500mm annually and temperature varies between 20oC to 22o
- Tropical wet evergreen forests are met usually in southern and western part of Mizoram, while semi-evergreen forests occur in northern, north-western and central part of the State.
- The tropical wet evergreen forests exhibit clear zonation or canopies consisting of an admixture of numerous species with dense and impenetrable herbaceous undergrowth.
- Most of the species of the top canopy are Evergreen trees with tall boles. Cauliflory is rather common.
- The middle and lower canopies are dense, evergreen and diverse.
- Epiphytes and parasites are few. Tree ferns, aroides, palms, ferns, orchids, bryophytes and lichens are fairly common.
- Lianas are frequent and conspicious, sedges and Grasses are common in humid places or along the banks of rivers and rivulets.
- Species of Musaare also common along the streams on hilly slopes.
- In exposed and drier areas, having a thin of Soil, deciduous Elements along with some evergreen trees are found.
- Sometimes these are grouped as distinct type, referred as tropical moist deciduous forests.
- The distinction between the tropical evergreen forests and tropical moist deciduous forests is difficult as they are found in the small hill ranges.
- The third storey of canopy consists of smaller trees and shrubs with maximum floristic diversity.
Montane sub-tropical forests of Vegetation of Mizoram:
- These forests are usually found between 900 and 1,500 m altitude in the eastern fringes bordering Chin Hills of Myanmar, and places which are cooler and have less Precipitation. Sub-tropical vegetation shows mixed pine forests.
- The common species of these forests are Castanopsis purpurella Duabanga grandiflora, Myristica spp., Phoebe goalparensis, Pinus kesiya, Podocarpus neriifolia, Prunus cerasoides, Quercus acutissima, Q.semiserrata, Schima wallichii,
Temperate forests of Vegetation of Mizoram:
- These forests usually occur above the elevation of 1,600m in areas like Lengteng, Naunuarzo, Pharpak, Thaltlang, Phawngpui reserve forests and display impenetrable virgin primary forests.
- These forests are not typical temperate forests as found elsewhere in eastern Himalaya.
- The predominant arboreal elements in the forests arePinus kesiya, Actinodaphne microptera, Betula alnoides, Exbucklandia populnea, Elaeocarpus serratus, Dillenia pentagya, Michelia doltsopa, M. Champaca, Garcinia anomala, Schisandra neglecta, Photinia intergrifolia, Litsea salicifolia, Myrica esculenta, Lithocarpus dealbata, Rhododendron arboreum,
Bamboo forests of Vegetation of Mizoram :
- Bamboos usually grow as an under-storey to the tree species in tropical evergreen and sub-tropical mixed-deciduous forests, whereas Melocanna bacciferaforms dense or pure forests in certain areas in the State.
- Large tracts of bamboos are seen throughout Mizoram but their distribution is somewhat restricted to about 1,600m and below.
- They occur mostly between 40m and 1,520m in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Few species occur in temperature areas in Blue Mountain and Mount Chalfilh.
- It appears that bamboos have resulted from jhumming system of cultivation.
- For practicing jhum cultivation the forests are burnt and tree species are destroyed but the bamboo rhizomes throw out new culms as soon as favourable temperature and seasonal monsoon arrive.
- Therefore, in abandoned jhumland they are the first colonizer and grow rapidly. Some important associates found growing along with bamboos are Emblica officinalis, Litsea monopetala, Pterospermum acerifolium, Terminalia myriocarpa, Caryota mitis, Artocartus chama, Duabanga grandiflora, Albizia procera, Gmelina arborea, Syzygium
Quercus forests of Vegetation of Mizoram:
- These forests are mostly found intermingled in sub-tropical and temperate areas.
- Pure patches or predominate Quercus griffithianais present near Champhai-Baite hill ranges and its distribution is restricted to other small areas in the eastern part of Mizoram. Lithocarpus dealbata is other main species.
Jhumland:
- Jhumlands are very common in Mizoram.
- They are classified variously as current jhumland, old jhumland and abandoned jhumland.
- Jhumlands are more prevalent in eastern Mizoram where extensive and intensive jhumming is practiced.
- Similarly, the areas in western side in Lunglei district towards Bangladesh have also Jhumlands.
Bamboo Resources in Vegetation of Mizoram
- Mizoram has abundant natural Bamboo resources.
- Around 57% of the geographical area of Mizoram is under Bamboo cover found at heights ranging from 400m – 1500m above mean sea level.
- Bamboo forests are found mainly along the river banks and abandoned jhumland as a dominant secondary vegetation.
- Both the clump forming and non-clump forming bamboos are available in most part of Mizoram except in the higher altitudes of the eastern parts of Mizoram.
- There are twenty species of Bamboos in Mizoram of which Melocanna baccifera is the dominant forest resource of the state.
- The dominant species M. baccifera called ‘Mautak’ is a versatile species; it is a spreading species forming no clumps.
- The culms grow up to 8-10m, they are widely used for construction of Kacha houses, furniture, and fencing, weaving and pulping.
- The shoots are eaten in large scale, during rainy season it forms a dominant food item.
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Mizoram is a state in northeastern India. It is bordered by Assam to the north, Manipur to the east, Tripura to the south, and Bangladesh to the west. The state has a Population of over 1.1 million people and a land area of 22,086 square kilometers. The capital of Mizoram is Aizawl.
Mizoram is a mountainous state with a tropical climate. The Average temperature in Mizoram ranges from 15 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. The state receives an average annual rainfall of 2,500 to 3,000 millimeters.
The vegetation of Mizoram is diverse. The state is home to a variety of forests, including tropical evergreen forests, tropical deciduous forests, and montane forests. Mizoram is also home to a variety of grasslands, including savannas, grasslands, and meadows.
The vegetation of Mizoram plays an important role in the state’s economy. The forests of Mizoram are a source of timber, fuelwood, and other forest products. The grasslands of Mizoram are used for grazing Livestock. The vegetation of Mizoram also plays an important role in the state’s Environment. The forests of Mizoram help to regulate the climate and prevent soil erosion. The grasslands of Mizoram help to prevent flooding.
The vegetation of Mizoram is facing a number of threats, including deforestation, forest fires, and Climate Change. Deforestation is the main threat to the forests of Mizoram. Forests are being cleared for agriculture, development, and other purposes. Forest fires are also a major threat to the forests of Mizoram. Forest fires are often caused by human activities, such as carelessness and arson. Climate change is also a threat to the vegetation of Mizoram. Climate change is causing the temperature in Mizoram to rise. This is leading to changes in the distribution of vegetation in the state.
The government of Mizoram is taking a number of steps to conserve the vegetation of the state. The government has enacted a number of laws to protect forests and other Natural Resources. The government is also working to raise awareness about the importance of conservation. The government is also working to develop alternative sources of income for people who depend on forests for their livelihood.
The vegetation of Mizoram is an important part of the state’s economy, environment, and culture. The government of Mizoram is taking a number of steps to conserve the vegetation of the state. However, the vegetation of Mizoram is still facing a number of threats. It is important to raise awareness about the importance of conservation and to support the efforts of the government of Mizoram to conserve the vegetation of the state.
Here are some additional information about the vegetation of Mizoram:
- The forests of Mizoram are home to a variety of Plants and animals, including tigers, elephants, and deer.
- The grasslands of Mizoram are home to a variety of birds, including peacocks, hornbills, and kingfishers.
- The vegetation of Mizoram is also important for the state’s tourism Industry. The forests and grasslands of Mizoram are popular tourist destinations.
- The government of Mizoram is working to develop a number of ecotourism projects in the state. Ecotourism projects are designed to promote sustainable tourism that benefits the local community and protects the environment.
- The vegetation of Mizoram is an important part of the state’s culture. The forests and grasslands of Mizoram are important for traditional activities, such as hunting, gathering, and farming.
- The government of Mizoram is working to protect the traditional knowledge of the people of Mizoram about the vegetation of the state. The traditional knowledge of the people of Mizoram is an important resource for conservation.
Geography of Mizoram
Mizoram is a state in northeastern India. It is bordered by Assam to the north, Tripura to the west, Bangladesh to the south, and Myanmar to the east. The capital of Mizoram is Aizawl.
Mizoram is a mountainous state with an average elevation of 1,200 meters (3,900 feet). The highest peak in Mizoram is Mount Phawngpui, which is 2,157 meters (7,074 feet) tall.
Mizoram has a tropical climate with a monsoon season from June to September. The average temperature in Mizoram ranges from 15 degrees Celsius (59 degrees Fahrenheit) in January to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) in April.
The main languages spoken in Mizoram are Mizo, Hmar, and Chakma. The Official Language of Mizoram is English.
The main religion in Mizoram is Christianity. The majority of the people in Mizoram are Baptists.
The main crops grown in Mizoram are rice, maize, and jute. The main industries in Mizoram are tourism, tea, and bamboo.
History of Mizoram
The history of Mizoram is long and complex. The first people to live in Mizoram were the Mizos, who are believed to have migrated from Tibet in the 16th century. The Mizos were a warrior people who fought many battles with the neighboring tribes.
In the 19th century, the British East India Company began to colonize Mizoram. The British ruled Mizoram for over 100 years. During this time, the British introduced Christianity to Mizoram and built roads, schools, and hospitals.
In 1947, India gained independence from the British. Mizoram became a part of India. In 1986, Mizoram became a full-fledged state of India.
Culture of Mizoram
The culture of Mizoram is unique and vibrant. The Mizos are a proud people who have a strong sense of identity. The Mizos are also very hospitable and welcoming.
The main religion in Mizoram is Christianity. The majority of the people in Mizoram are Baptists.
The main language spoken in Mizoram is Mizo. The official language of Mizoram is English.
The main crops grown in Mizoram are rice, maize, and jute. The main industries in Mizoram are tourism, tea, and bamboo.
The main festivals in Mizoram are Chapchar Kut, which is a harvest festival, and Pawl Kut, which is a new year festival.
Economy of Mizoram
The economy of Mizoram is based on agriculture, Forestry, and tourism. The main crops grown in Mizoram are rice, maize, and jute. The main industries in Mizoram are tourism, tea, and bamboo.
Mizoram is a poor state with a high rate of Unemployment. The government of Mizoram is trying to develop the economy by investing in -2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE and Education.
Government of Mizoram
The government of Mizoram is a parliamentary Democracy. The head of state is the governor, who is appointed by the president of India. The head of government is the chief minister, who is elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly.
The Legislative Assembly is the unicameral legislature of Mizoram. It has 40 members, who are elected by the people of Mizoram.
The judiciary of Mizoram is headed by the High Court of Mizoram. The High Court is located in Aizawl.
Education in Mizoram
The education system in Mizoram is based on the Indian education system. The main languages of instruction in Mizoram are Mizo and English.
The government of Mizoram provides free education to all children up to the age of 14. There are also many private schools in Mizoram.
The main universities in Mizoram are the University of Mizoram and the Mizoram University of Science and Technology.
Tourism in Mizoram
Mizoram is a beautiful state with a lot to offer tourists. The main tourist attractions in Mizoram are the following:
- The Blue Mountains: The Blue Mountains are a mountain range in Mizoram. They are known for their beautiful scenery and their cool climate.
- The Champhai Valley: The Champhai Valley is a valley in Mizoram. It is known for its beautiful scenery and its waterfalls.
- The Saitual Lake: The Saitual Lake
- The climate of Mizoram is:
(A) Tropical monsoon
(B) Subtropical
(C) Temperate
(D) Alpine - The main rivers of Mizoram are:
(A) The Brahmaputra and the Ganges
(B) The Tlawng and the Tuirial
(C) The Barak and the Kushiyara
(D) The Chenab and the Ravi - The main crops of Mizoram are:
(A) Rice, maize, and sugarcane
(B) Tea, coffee, and rubber
(C) Jute, Cotton, and oilseeds
(D) Wheat, barley, and oats - The main languages spoken in Mizoram are:
(A) Mizo, Hmar, and Chakma
(B) Bengali, Assamese, and Manipuri
(C) Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia
(D) Naga, Ao, and Lotha - The main religions practiced in Mizoram are:
(A) Christianity, -2/”>Hinduism, and Islam
(B) -2/”>Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism
(C) Animism, Confucianism, and Taoism
(D) Shintoism, Taoism, and Confucianism - The main festivals of Mizoram are:
(A) Chapchar Kut, Pawl Kut, and Mim Kut
(B) Bihu, Durga puja, and Kali Puja
(C) Christmas, Easter, and New Year’s Day
(D) Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, and Muharram - The main tourist attractions of Mizoram are:
(A) The Blue Mountains, the Champhai Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Vanapazar Market
(B) The Kaziranga National Park, the Manas National Park, and the Periyar National Park
(C) The Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and the Jama Masjid
(D) The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, and the Arc de Triomphe - The main exports of Mizoram are:
(A) Tea, coffee, and rubber
(B) Jute, cotton, and oilseeds
(C) Timber, bamboo, and cane
(D) Minerals, metals, and ores - The main imports of Mizoram are:
(A) Foodgrains, petroleum products, and machinery
(B) Clothing, electronics, and automobiles
(C) Construction materials, chemicals, and Fertilizers
(D) Weapons, ammunition, and military equipment - The main Political Parties of Mizoram are:
(A) The Mizo National Front, the Zoram People’s Movement, and the Indian National Congress
(B) The Bharatiya Janata Party, the All India Trinamool Congress, and the Communist Party of India (Marxist)
(C) The Shiv Sena, the Janata Dal (United), and the Rashtriya Janata Dal
(D) The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and the Pattali Makkal Katchi