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History and Geography
Manipur has a long and glorious history from the beginning of the Christian era. The recorded history of kingship started from 33 AD, which marked the coronation of Pakhangba. After Pakhangba, a series of kings ruled over the kingdom of Manipur. The independence and sovereignty of Manipur remained uninterrupted until the Burmese invaded and occupied it for seven years in the first quarter of the 19th century (1819-25). Then came British Paramountcy in 1891, and later on it was merged in the Indian Union as part ‘‘C’’ State on 15 October, 1949. This was replaced by a Territorial Council of 30 elected and 2 nominated members. Later in 1963, a Legislative Assembly of 30 elected and 3 nominated members was established under the Union Territories Act, 1962. The status of the administrator was raised from Chief Commissioner to the status of the Lt. Governor with effect from 19 December, 1969. Manipur attained full-fledged statehood on 21 January, 1972. With this, a Legislative Assembly consisting of 60 elected members was established.
Geographically, the state is divided into two tracts: the hills comprising of five districts and the plains with four districts. It is bounded by Myanmar on the east, Nagaland on the north, Assam and Mizoram on the west, and Myanmar and Mizoram on the south.
Agriculture
From the level of subsistence agriculture, the State Agriculture Department has planned to go ahead with commercialisation and self-sustainability. The department focuses on (1) increasing cropping intensity from the present level of 123.50 per cent to 135 per cent, (2) increasing present level of firm mechanisation, i.e., 0.1 HP/Ha. to 0.9 HP/Ha., (3) improving the soil health through amelioration of acid soil, (4) minimising external dependence for supply of seed inputs by strengthening infrastructure in state farms, so that gradually the state can produce its own requirement of seed inputs, (5) giving better protection to plants from insect pests and diseases through Integrated Pest Management, (6) strengthening the existing training infrastructure for better transfer of technology to the farmers, (7) developing infrastructure for agriculture research, and (8) bringing a change in the cropping scenario in hilly areas of the state by introducing high yielding varieties of crops particularly paddy, oilseeds and pulses for over-all increase in agricultural production and productivity to meet the demands for foods by the increasing human population.
Forest
Total area under forest cover is 16,926 sq km, of which 5,710 sq km falls under dense forest, while 11,216 sq km under open forest, which is 75.8 per cent of the State’s geographical area. Siroy village in Ukhrul District, Manipur is the abode of Shiroy Lily (Lilium macklineae), the paradise flower, which is not found elsewhere in the world. The Dzuko valley is also the only habitat of the endemic and the rarest species Dzuko Lily (Lilium chitrangade). The State is also the only home of the Brow-Antlered Deer (Cervus eldi eldi), locally known as Sangai surviving in its natural habitat, the Keibul Lamjao, only floating National Park in the world. The conservation measures taken up by the State has led to a commendable rise of Sangai Population.
Irrigation
Within a short period of two decades of introduction of major and medium irrigation schemes in the State, remarkable progress has been achieved, creating annual irrigation potential of 54,100 hectares and supplying 4 MGD of water for water supply, under the major and medium irrigation multipurpose programme.
Power
The installed capacity of the State is over 42,750 and more than 2,000 villages have been electrified. Power supply position showed a marked improvement with the availability of power from the Central Sector Generating Stations, i.e., Loktak HE Project (NHPC), Kopili HE Project, Khandong HE Project, Doyang HE Project, Rangnadi HE Project and AGBPP, Kathalguri and AGTPP, Ramchandranagar (all NEEPCO).
Commerce and Industry
The State Government continues to exert all its efforts as a facilitator for industrialisation of the State with due emphasis on the prospective and potential areas. Handloom is the most popular traditional industry providing maximum employment in the State.
With the introduction of Border Trade between India and Myanmar in 1995, the Department of Commerce and Industries of the State Government has been acting as a liaisoning agent for promotion and development of Border Trade.
Transport
Roads: Imphal, the capital of Manipur is joined by road (NH-39) with Nagaland on the north, and Myanmar on the east, Assam on the west by NH-53, and Mizoram on the south by NH-150.
The State has 7,599 km of roads, both metalled and unmetalled. The length of roads consists of National Highway 967 km, State Highway 675 km, District roads 1,977 km and Village roads 4,947 km.
Aviation: Imphal airport is the only airport, which is linked with other stations in the region by Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Alliance Air. The Indian Airlines flights connect Imphal with Guwahati and New Delhi, while Jet Airways Flights connect Imphal with Guwahati and Kolkata. Alliance Air connects Imphal with Aizawal, Silchar, Kolkata and Guwahati.
Railways: The State is included in the railway map of India with the opening of a railhead at Jiribam, in May 1990, which is 255 km from Imphal. Dimapur, 215 km from Imphal is the nearest railhead.
Festivals
A year in Manipur represents a cycle of festivities. Hardly a month passes by without a festival. Important festivals of the State are: Dol-jatra, Lai haraoba, Rasa Leela, Cheiraoba, Ningol Chakouba, Rath-Jatra, Id-ul-Fitr, Imoinu Iratpa, Gaan-Ngai, Lui-Ngai-ni, Id-ul-Zuha, Yaoshang (Holi), Durga Pujah, Mera Houchongba, Diwali, Kut and Christmas, etc.
Tourist Centres
Blessed with a salubrious climate and landscapes languishing in natural beauty and scenic splendour, the state extends to the tourists a warm welcome to visit again and again. Some important tourist centres in Manipur are: Shree Govindajee temple, Khwairamband Bazar (Ima Keithel), War cemeteries, Shaheed Minar, Nupi Lan (Women’s War) Memorial Complex, Khonghampat Orchidarium, INA Memorial (Moirang), Loktak Lake, Keibul Lamjao National Park, Bishnu Temple at Bishnupur, Sendra, Moreh, Siroy Village, Siroy Hills, Dzuko Valley, State Museum, Kaina Tourist Home, Khongjom War Memorial Complex, etc.
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