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Twipra or Tripura is a little thumb of land
covering on area of 10,491 kmē. is the smallest
hilly state in the North-East region of India.
It lies approximately between 91°10' and 92°21'
East Longitude and 22°56' and 24°32' North
Latitude.
Total area
10, 492 kmē, 84% international border with
Bangladesh (839 km.) on 3 sides, North, West and
South, the rest shares with Assam (53 km.) in
North, Mizoram (109 km.) in East border of the
state. 60% Hilly Terrain, 60% Forest, 52.76%
Forest cover, 39% Reserved Forest, 25% Net Shown
Area, 30% Operational Holding, Average Holding
1.02 Hector, Irrigation 13% of Cropped area.
Summer season - April to June,
Rainy season - July to September,
Winter season - October to January,
Spring season - February to March.
Average weather condition
Temperature varies between 10°C - 35°C.
Average Annual Rain Fall 2100 mm,
Highest Rain Fall 2855 mm (Kamalpur),
Lowest Rain Fall 1811 mm (Sonamura).s
The Monsoon generally begins around April and
continues up to August/September.
Twipra comprises picturesque hills, green
valleys with the symphony of splashing water and
dense forests. The mountain mass that has
beautified the landscape of the state thrusts
South from the Eastern Himalayan region of Asia
between the Brahmaputra and the Chindwin -
Irawady river systems. The hills of Twipra rises
in a succession of ranges running mainly from
the North to the South, each successive ridge to
the East rising higher as the spur approaches
the main mountain mass. Five major and two minor
ranges of hills all around from North-West to
South-East and separated from each other by
beautiful valleys make the hilly terrain of
Twipra. The major hill ranges from West to the
East are: Bormura, Atharomura, Longtorai,
Akhantang, Jampui. The highest peak of the state
in Betalangshiv, which is about 3600 ft.
succession of Jampui hill range.
Major tributaries
Twipra is full of rivers, tributaries and
streams. Most of the places, areas or villages
are named after rivers and tributaries. Some of
the important rivers of the state are namely:
the Gumti, the Khowai, the Manu, the Saidra (Haorah)
and the Mohuri. Many myths, legends and folk
tales also surrounded by these rivers. Among
these, the Gumti is the biggest river and
considered as the most sacred by the people of
Twipra. It is considered to be as holy as Ganga
of North India.
According to the mythology, the god in disguise
of a big python fell in love with a beautiful
girl named 'Raima' and later they got married.
But the father of 'Raima' refused to accept
their relationship and the python was killed by
her father. Since then, a beautiful flower with
sweet fragrance called 'Khumpui' (in Kokborok
language) had grown where the python's head was
buried and from this flower (Khum) a water (Twi)
source had started flowing. People believes
that, this 'Khumtwi' (Khum + Twi) is the source
of the Gumti river. So, the Gumti river used to
be called as 'Khumtwi' by the Borok people,
which was later changed to Gumtwi and further
corrupted to Gumti. This river is the confluence
of two tributaries: the Raima (wife of the
python), which has originated from the place
where Raima had died and the Saima (sister of
Raima), originated from the place where Saima
had died.
Land system
Twipra is a small, hilly and land locked state
of the North eastern region of India with poor
communication facilities. Out of the total
geographical area approximately 60% is covered
by the forest and only 27% of land is available
for cultivation. Like other states of India, the
economy of the state is based on agriculture
which contributes around 28% of the states
domestic products. Agriculture in Twipra
distinctively divided into wet land cultivation
and dry land cultivation i.e. the Jhum or
Shifting cultivation. In the post Independent
Era, the activities of agriculture in Twipra by
and large in the hands of private cultivators
i.e. the ownership of land by the individuals.
As in 2000-2001 the total net area sown is 2798
kmē . out of which around 2000 kmē. having more
than one crop in a year. Therefore, the total
gross crop-area works out is 4798.80 kmē.
About 60% of the total geographical area of
Twipra in under forest. The forest of Twipra are
divided into 2 major categories. These are -
·
Evergreen forest,
·
Moist deciduous forest.
Evergreen forest occupy the more humid areas of
the state in Dharmanagar, Kailashahar and
Kanchanpur of North Twipra District. Kamalpur
Sub-Division of Dhalai District and partially of
Belonia and Subroom Sub-Division of South Twipra
District and Khowai and Sadar Sub-Divisions of
West Twipra District. Most deciduous mixed
forest occupy large area of Sadar and Sonamura
Sub-Division of West Twipra District and Amarpur
Sub-Division of South Twipra District. Reserved
forest works out 3588.183 kmē, unclassified
Government forest is 2195.473 kmē, while
proposed reserved forest is 509.025 kmē. Thus
the total forest area is 6292.618 kmē in the
whole Twipra state.
Alike other states, Twipra is also depending
upon agrarian economy. As in 1991, the
proportion of workers to the total population of
the state was 29.10%. The proportion of
cultivators among all main workers in Twipra
state was 38.09% while in 1981 it was recorded
as 43.29%. The proportion of Agricultural
labourers was 23.38% which has slightly lower
down in comparison of 1981 (24%). The proportion
of workers engaged in Agricultural sector
(Cultivation, Agri-Labourer, live stock,
Forestry fishing etc.) declined from 70.00% in
1981 to 63.79% in 1991.
The indigenous population in Twipra state stands
about 31% of the total population as in 1991.
For obvious reason, the economy of the
Indigenous people of the state is built upon
Agriculture. Because of very poor irrigation
facilities, agriculture in rural areas is mostly
characterized by rain fed cultivation. Once
again, wet land cultivation in these areas is a
new concept. The Indigenous people as a whole
was predominantly depended upon primitive method
of agriculture or shifting cultivation,
popularly known as 'Jhum Cultivation'.
The farmers constitute around 30% of the total
farming community of Borok people in the state
and most of them are marginal farmers with the
land holding of less than 1 (one) acre. Because
of absence of irrigation facilities coupled with
adoption of modern farming such as use of
fertilizer, manure etc. the productivity level
is also much below in the Indigenous areas in
comparison to the Non-Indigenous (plain areas)
areas in the state.
According to Bench Mark Survey conducted by the
state Government, around 40% of the Indigenous
population are still predominantly dependent
upon Shifting Cultivation. In other words around
03.41 lack of Borok population comprising of
45,000 families are still identified as Jhumias
in the state and are awaiting for proper
rehabitation i.e. Settled Cultivation.
Because of increasing in population
non-availability of abandon Jhum land, increase
of Jhum cycle in a particular Jhum plot, on the
one land and fragmentation of land holding
through generations, a sizable percentage of
Borok population specially those who are living
in adjacent to the forest areas, are dependent
upon their lively-hood partially on Jhum
cultivation as well as wet land cultivation.
The number of operational holding as per
1990-1991 Agri-Census the operational holding of
Schedule Tribes were 1,71,111 (36.80%) out of
which owned and self-operated Schedule Tribe
holding were 82,913, leased in Schedule Tribe
holding were 21,699 and otherwise operated
Schedule Tribe holding were 54,087. Total area
operated under Schedule Tribe holdings works out
1,38,072 hactres out of total holding of 31,3511
with total holding areas of 308376 hactres.
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