Chapter 3 NAGA POPULATION AND DISTRIBUTION. This chapter deals with the overall population scenario of the Nagas.

Transcription

1 Chapter 3 NAGA POPULATION AND DISTRIBUTION This chapter deals with the overall population scenario of the Nagas. The Naga Hills is sandwiched between the Brahmaputra valley (Assam) in the west, lower Himalayas in the northern side, Chindwin river of Myanmar in the eastern side and Imphal valley of Manipur in the south. The consolidated Naga Hills is located between 93 30' E and 95 15'E longitudes and 24 30'N and 27 0'N latitudes. The Naga Hills has a mountainous character with numerous ridges, spurs, peaks and narrow river valleys. As noted in chapter 1, the contiguous Naga Hills ranges falls under different political administration units. The distribution of Naga communities are distributed in Tirap district and Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, in the Nagaland State, in the Hill districts cif Manipur consisting (Tamenglong, Senapati, Chandel and Ukhrul), and part of Karbi Anglong district and North Cachar Hills district of Assam. 3.1 Population The various Naga communities traditionally lived in well-defined ethnic territories. But, in the process of Indian State re-organisations and subsequent emergence of state political boundaries cut across the Naga ethnic territory. This had been done without the consent of the Nagas concerned. For instance, the Zeliangrong Nagas was divided into three administrative units that is, Manipur State, Nagaland State and Assam State According to Population Census of India (1991), the Government oflndia (GOI) listed the following Naga groups as Scheduled Tribes (see table 3.1). The Naga 64

2 communities recognised as Scheduled Tribes by the Constitution of India are given in table 1. The Naga groups like Tarao, Thangal, poumei. Kharam of Manipur State and Kalya Konguyu of Nagaland State are yet to be recognised as Scheduled Tribes by the Government of India. TABLE 3.1 Reco2nised Naga community as Scheduled Tribes 1991 Nagalang 1\'[anipur!Arunachal lass am I. Angami* I. Anal I. Tangsa IZeliangrong 2. Ao 2. Chiru ~. Wancho ~ Chakhesang 3. Chothe 3. Nocte 4. Chang 4. Kabui (including Puimei) 5. Chirr 5. Kacha Naga (Zeme & Liangmei) p. Khiemnungan 6. Koireng 17. Konyak 7. Lamgang 8. Lotha 8. Mao (including Poumei) 19. Makhori 9. Maram IO. Phom IO. Maring II. Rengma II. Monsang I2. Sangtam I2.Moyon 13. Serna* 13. Tangkhul I4. Tikhir I5. Yimchunger I6.Zeliang I7. Pochury * These two communities are also recognised as ST in Manipur State. Source of Data: In the absence of authentic information and reliable source of data, estimation of Naga population is a very difficult. Another problem associated with it is, the Naga population falls into different political and administration units making it difficult to calculate as one. However, the present figures have been based on the Official data published by the Government oflndia. The present Naga population is generated from the decadal publications of the Population Census of India 1 Every decade, the Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (Gol) conduct 65

3 census to enumerate the Indian population. The Nagas living outside the jurisdiction of Union Government oflndia cannot be tabulated because of the lack ofinformation. As noted earlier, the Indian Population Census (1991) listed 35 Naga groups as Scheduled Tribes. Out of a total of 35 Naga groups, 17 are found in Nagaland State, 15 (fifteen) Naga communities inhabits in the four hill districts of Manipur State and the district are Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel. The remainig Three Naga groups are in the districts of Tirap and Chanlang in Arunachal Pradesh. Some of the Zeliangrong Nagas falls under the North Cachar Hill district in Assam. Population Size and Growth Rate It is obvious that three demographic variables- fertility, mortality, and migration are responsible for population growth. When there is a positive difference between the number of births and the number of deaths, population grows and this increase of births over deaths is known as the natural increase of population. Table 3.2 shows the size and growth rate of total Naga population. In 1991 population census, the total Nagas living in Indian sub-continent is recorded as 14,54,864 2 persons. In the 1981 census, the total Naga population recorded was 8,92,356 persons. Among the Naga communities, Ao Nagas recorded the largest absolute number of 1,65,893 persons in 1991 census. The second largest is Serna Nagas with 1,50, 780 persons and it is closely followed by Konyak Nagas, 1,36,458 persons and Tangkhul Nagas, 1,07,244 persons. The smallest Naga groups are Makhori with only 826 persons, Koireng 873 persons, Monsang 1803 persons and Chirr 2067 persons. The decadal growth rate of the whole Naga population in the decade is 29.6 per cent. However, in the decade , the total Naga population registered a growth rate as high as 63.3 per cent. The difference in the percentage change between 66

4 the two decades and is 33.3 per cent. In the following section we shall examine the population scenario by state-wise. Nagaland State: The percentage share of population among the various Naga communities in Nagaland State are follows: The Ao Nagas has the highest population share with 16.1 per cent to total Naga population in the state. This is followed by Serna Nagas with 14.6 per cent. The Konyak Nagas is 13.2 per cent, Angami Nagas 9.4 per cent, Chakhesang Nagas 8.6 per cent, Lotha Nagas 8 per cent and Phom Nagas 6.3 per cent. The rest of the Naga groups constitute a very low proportion of percentage. The Nagas of Nagaland state recorded a growth rate of 65.8 per cent in the decade This shows a high growth rate of Naga population in recent years. Among major Naga groups, the highest decadal growth rate is recorded in Phom Nagas the percentage being per cent. The decadal growth rate among Konyak Nagas, Ao Nagas, Serna Nagas and Angami Nagas are 63.1 per cent, 58.6 per cent, 58.2 per cent and 55.7 per cent respectively. This is closely followed by Chakhesang Nagas (46.7 per cent) and Lotha ( 42.3 per cent). The decadal growth rate among the smaller Naga com~unities like Tikhir Nagas and Rengma Nagas also registered a very high and the percentage are and respectively. The percentage change among the major Naga groups in the state indicates a low proportion between the decade and However, the major Naga community like Phom Nagas, Ao Nagas, Serna Nagas, Angami Nagas, Konyak Nagas, Lotha Nagas and Chakhesang Nagas contributes larger population in terms of absolute number. Though the smaller Naga groups accounted for high percentage of decadal growth rate like Tikhir Nagas, Makhori Nagas, Rengma Nagas and Sangtam Nagas but their contribution to total population is considerably low. 67

5 Manipur State: Among the Naga groups in Manipur, Tangkhul Nagas constitutes the largest proportion recording 32.1 percentage. This is followed by Mao Nagas and Kabui Nagas and the percentage are 23 and 18.7 respectively. But the rest of the Naga groups constitutes very low proportion (see table 2). During , the decadal growth rate ofnaga population in Manipur state is recorded as 59.5 per cent during. This indicates a considerably increase of Naga population in the last decades. In the previous decade , the population growth rate was only 19.2 per cent. During the decade , the two majornaga groups, that is, Kacha and Kabui had registered high growth rate with per cent and per cent respectively. Mao Nagas and Tangkhu1 Nagas also exhibits considerable growth rate with 51.7 per cent and 35.7 per cent. In the case of smaller groups, the decadal growth rate is considerably low as compared to the larger groups. Arunachal Pradesh and Assam: In Arunachal Pradesh, Wancho Nagas share half of the total Naga population present in the ~tate and the proportion is 57.7 per cent. The Nocte Nagas and Tangsa Nagas have a proportion of population of 29.9 per cent and 12.9 per cent respectively. The growth rate of these three Nagas is considerably low. Negative growth rate is recorded in Tangsa Nagas in the 1991 population census. The Naga groups living in Assam State are small in size. In 1991, there were only 12,908 persons. In Assam, the growth rate could not be calculated because there is no census conducted in Assam State in the year To sum up the Nagas of Nagaland state registered high decadal growth rate in The same pattern is also observed in Manipur but here the growth rate is slightly lower. For Nagas as a whole, the highest growth rates are largely shown by the major 68

6 Naga groups. Perhaps, the high growth rate in the Naga population is a result of the natural growth. However, enumeration inadequacy cannot be ruled out. TABLE 3 2 s 1ze, Sh are an d G ro wth R a t eo fn aga P opu I a f 100 State/Naga Total population Percentage Decadal Growth Rate Difference Groups share of in Growth population to Rate total Naga population, 1991 Total NAGAS 6,88,180 8,92,356** 14 54, NAG ALAND 1. Angami , Ao ,65, Chakhesang , Chang , Chirr , Khiemnungan , Konyak ,36, Lotha , Makhori Phom , Rengma , lll Sangtam , Serna ,50, Tikhir , Yimchunger , Zeliang , Pochury , Naga(Not , Classified) Total Nagas 4,45,266 6,20,974 1,029, MANIPUR I. Anal , Angami Chiru , Chothe , Kabui , Kacha Naga , Koireng Lamgang , Mao , Maram , Maring , Monsang_ , 'l lla... ~... -,.,Ln......,..,

7 I. Nocte , Tangsa I 9, Wancho , Total Nae:as ASSAM I All Nae:as 8481 * 12,908 **Excluding Assam as no census was conducted m Source: Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner. 1971, 1981 and Special Tables for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, and Arunchal Pradesh,. New Delhi: Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner. Sex Composition Sex of the individual holds an important place in a demographic examination. Sex is a I biological characteristic that divides,human beings into male and female. The sex - composition oflndia's population shows a shortage of females per 1000 males and this shortage has aggravated over time. A favourable sex ratio to males and the declines in the proportion of females in the population has been a matter of great concern and is being viewed with serious concern by demographers and several women's organisation. In 1991 population census, the sex ratio in India was 929 females per 1000 males. This i has been continuously declining since Premi (1992) raises three questions in respect of the sex ratio trends in India- (a) Have the living conditions of females, particularly the access to medical facilities deteriorated during the 1980s as compared to the 1970s? (b) Has the sex ratio at birth become more favourable to males in recent years? and (c) Has there been a greater under-enumeration of females in the 1991 census as compared to the 1981 census. The sex ratio in Naga population exhibits the declining trends in the recent decades (see table 3.3). In 1991 census, there are about 951 females per 1000 males against 995 females per 1000 males in According to population reports, a considerable shortage of female population has been indicated in the Naga society. Now we shall examine the sex ratio in the state Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal. 70

8 In Nagaland State, there is drastic declined in female population during i The table 3 shows that during the decade , the sex ratio declined in spite of I slight gain in In 1981 there were 987 females per 1000 males, but it has come i down to 94 7 females in Out of the total 17 Naga groups, nine groups are below the I total Naga average. The highest sex ratio is recorded in Rengma Nagas (996 females per 1000 males population), this is closely followed by Angami (986 females) and Chirr Nagas (984 females). The lowest sex ratio is observed in Chang Nagas and the sex ratio is 922 females per 1000 males. All the Naga groups in Nagaland State exhibit a decline of female population except Angami Naga that indicates a steady increase in female population and the sex ratio is 974 females per 1000 males in 1981 and 986 females per 1000 males in In Manipur, we also observed the same pattern of declining female population. In spite of high sex ratio in the last two census years, that is, 1045 females per 1000 males in 1971 and I 025 females per 1000 male in 1981, the 1991 population census registered only 957 females per 1000 males. Among the various Naga groups in the state, five Naga groups are below the total Naga average. The highest sex ratio is recorded in Koireng Nagas (1109 females), Moyon Nagas (1098 females) and Anal Nagas (1034 females). The lowest sex ratio is found in Maring Nagas (939) and Kacha Nagas (939) (exception is Angami Nagas). A slight increase in sex ratio among the Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh was observed. The Wancho Nagas indicate a steady increase in female population in all three censuses year. In 1991, it is recorded as 995 females per 1000 males. However, Nocte Nagas and Tangsa Nagas experience a steady decline in sex ratio. 71

9 Most of the Naga groups in all three states experienced a high female population in the year However, in the last decades there is a sharp decline in sex ratio. One interesting observation is that, a high sex ratio is recorded among the smaller Naga groups like Chirr, Rengma, Anal, Koireng and Moyon. The decline of female population could be attributed to intra-marriage and female migration. Another possible reason could be inadequate census enumeration in the region. The data of fertility and mortality could not be analysed due to the lack of information. Traditionally, in Naga society there is no case of female child discrimination or show male favouritism. The fact is, the Naga family prefers the first born to be a female baby. For the Nagas, it is plausible that the deficit of females can be attributed to incomplete enumeration at the time of census operations. Also this reason is related to the nature of commitment of the enumerators and at the same time people hardly bother about census enumeration due to lack of knowledge. TABLE 3. 3 S ex Raf IOID. N a~a P opu I a t" Ion State/Naf!a Groups Total Nagas Nagaland I. Angami Ao Chakhesang Chang Chirr Khiemnungan Konyak Lotha Makhori Phom Rengma Sangtam Serna Tikhir Yimchunger Zeliang Pochury

10 Manipur (Total Nagas) Anal Angami Chiru Chothe Kabui Kacha Naga Koireng Lamgang Mao Maram Maring Monsang M()yon Serna Tangkhul Arunachal (Total Nagas) l. Nocte Tangsa Wancho Source: Same as table 3.2. Rural-Urban Distribution A distribution between rural and urban population is one of the essential demographic features. The two differs in terms of economy, occupations, social and level of social interaction. In the case of India, the definition of urban as given by Registrar-General and Census Commissioner are based on certain socio-economic criteria. The population census defined an urban place as: (a) any place with a municipality, corporation, or cantonment or notified town area; or (b) any other place which satisfied all the following criteria: (i) a minimum population of 5000 (ii) at least 75% ofthe male working population in non-agricultural, and (iii)a population density of at least 400 per square Km. (that is, 1000 persons per square mile). In Naga situation, rural area implies a village. A majority of the Naga population lives in the village. An average size of the Naga villages is about 50 to 300 households. 73

11 In 1991 population census nearly 89.4 per cent of the total Naga population lives in rural areas. In Nagaland, about 13.8 per cent of the Nagas live in urban areas as shown in Table 3.4(a). There is an indication of steady increase of urban population in the last three census years. Among the Naga groups, the. Lotha Nagas is found to have the highest proportion of percentage living in urban areas and the proportion is 26.7 per cent. This is followed by Angami Nagas (22.9 per cent), Ao Nagas (22.8 per cent), and Chang Nagas (22.8 per cent). The Naga groups like Phom Nagas, Pochury Nagas and Makhori are found to have a very small percentage living in the urban areas and their proportion were 1.2 per cent, 1.2 per cent, and 3.1 per cent respectively. However, in the last two decades all Naga groups in Nagaland has shown an increase in urban population. The population of Naga living in urban and rural areas in Manipur State is given in Table 3.4(b). As the table indicates, the Naga living in urban areas are very low. In i spite of considerable proportion of 11.1 per cent in 1981, it further declined to 4.3 per cent in However, the decline in 1991 census is because of de-classification of some urban areas. In 1981 population census, the district headquarters of Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul are considered as urban areas but in 1991, these towns were given rural status. These three district towns are predominantly contain the Naga population. In Arunachal Pradesh, the Naga population living in urban areas is very low with only 2.50 per cent.

12 TABLE 3.4(a) Percent of Rural and Urban Pooulation in Na2aland State/Name of the Naga groups Population (in Per cent) Percentage of dec ada/ Growth Rate NAG ALAND Angami Rural Urban Ao Rural Urban Chakhesang Rural Urban Chang Rural Urban Chirr Rural Urban Khiemnungan Rural Urban Konyak Rural Urban Lotha Rural Urban Makhori Rural Urban Phom Rural Urban Rengma Rural Urban Sangtam Rural ' Urban Serna Rural Urban Tikhir Rural Urban Yimchunger Rural Urban Zeliang Rural Urban Pochury Rural Urban Total Nagas in Nagaland Rural Urban Source: same as table 3.2

13 TABLE 3.4(b) Percent of Rural and Urban Population in Manipur and Arunachal State/Name of the Naga groups Population (in Per cent) Percentage of decadal Growth Rate TOTALNAGAS Rural Urban MANIPUR I. Anal Rural Urban Angami Rural Urban Chiru Rural Urban Chothe Rural Urban Kabui Rural Urban Kacha Naga Rural Urban Koireng Rural Urban Lamgang Rural Urban Mao Rural Urban Maram Rural Urban Maring Rural Urban Monsang Rural Urban Moyon Rural Urban Serna Rural Urban Tangkhul Rural Urban Total Naeas in Manipur Rural Urban ARUNACHAL PRADESH 1. Nocte Rural Urban Tangsa Rural Urban Wancho Rural Urban Total Naeas in Arunachal Rural Urban Source: same as table

14 District-wise Distribution Table 3.5(a) depicts the distribution of Naga population by district-wise in Nagaland State. In 1991, there are seven districts in Nagaland state. The districts are Kohima, Mokokchung, Man, Phek, Tuensang, Wokha and Zunheboto. Among the seven districts, Zunheboto district records the highest concentration ofnaga population and a proportion recorded is 97 per cent to district's total population. The other districts also recorded a proportion more than 90 per cent to district's total population. But in Kohima district the proportion is only 67.1 per cent. In Kohima district, the dominant Naga groups are Angami (36.3 per cent), Serna (17.5 per cent), Zeliang (13.7 per cent) and Rengma (12.2 per cent). A large number of Ao Nagas is concentrated in Mokokchung district and the proportion recorded is 95.3 per cent. InMon district, Konyak Nagas share 97.9 per cent. Similarly, in Wokha district the I Lotha Nagas constitute of about 95.8 per cent whereas in Zunheboto district, Serna I Nagas predoininant accounting for 98 per cent of the population. In Phek district, the proportion is share 1 by two Naga groups, that is, Chakhesang Nagas (86.3 per cent) and I Pochury Nagas (l 0 per cent). Lastly, five smaller Naga groups inhabit the Tuensang district and the proportion are as follows: Phom (28.9 per cent), Sangtam (22.3 per ~ent), Yimchunger (15.2 per cent), Chang (12.3 per cent), and Khiemungan (9.6 per cent) respectively. The district territory nearly fit with the traditional territories of the various Naga ethnic groups. 77

15 TABLE 3.5{a) Distribution of Naga Population by District-Wise in Nagaland, 1991 Percentaf{e Share ofnaga Population to the Total Naga Population NagaGroups Kohima Mokokchunf{ Mon Phek Tuensang Wokha Zunheboto 1. Angami Ao Chakhesang 2.40 O.oi Chang O.oi Chirr !) O.oi 6. Khiemnungan O.oi 9.61 O.oi Konyak Lotha Makhori Phom Rengma Sangtam Serna Tikhir Yimchunger O.Ql O.oi Zeliang Pochury O.Ql 18. Naga not classified Naga population to district's total Source: Office of the Regtstrar General and Census Comrmss10ner. 1971, 1981 and Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, and Arunchal Pradesh. Special Tables for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. New Delhi: Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner. Manipur state has eight districts namely, Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel, Ukhrul, Imphal, Churachandpur, Thoubal and Bishnupur. Out of total eight districts, four districts, that is, Senapati, Tamenglong, Chandel, and Ukhrul are Nagas dominated area. Table 3.5(b) shows the proportion share of Naga population to district's total population. The highest Naga population to district's total is recorded in Ukhrul district (82.9 per cent), followed by Tamenglong, Senapati, and Chandel and the proportion are 77.7 per cent, 54.5 per cent and per cent respectively. In Senapati district, Mao Nagas constitutes 65.9 per cent to total district's Naga population and is followed by Kacha Nagas (8.47 per cent), Tangkhul Nagas (8.38 per cent) and Maram Nagas (8.16 per cent). Kabui Nagas (that is Rongmei and Puimei 78

16 NAGA POPULATION, 1991 ARUNACHAL, ASSAM, NAGALAND AND MANIPUR 26 o' ( f I / ' f - '; 93"0'E y BOUNDARIES,., -v... INTERNATIONAL \.. "\. "\. '\,. STATE,"'..,""' v'' DISTRICT gs o g& o PERCENTAGE OF NAGA POPULATION 9.0 AND ABOVE = m so so ~ F---i 30 AND BELOW

17 Nagas) and Kacha Nagas dominant Tamenglong district and the proportion are 62.2 per cent and 35 per cent. This shows that the Kacha Naga groups are divided into two districts, viz., Senapati and Tamenglong. In Ukhrul district, the population is exclusively predominated by Tangkhul Nagas accounting for about 99.6 per cent. Also, Tangkhul Naga population are found in the district of Senapati and Chandel too. The Chandel district consists of several smaller Naga groups and proportional share among the groups are 38.2 per cent to Maring Nagas and the other Naga groups share are Anal Nagas (29.7 per cent), Moyon Nagas (5.7 per cent), Chothe Nagas (4.7 per cent), Monsang Nagas (4.2 per cent) and Tangkhul Nagas (3 per cent). In Arunachal Pradesh, the Naga population is found in Tirap and Changlang district. While in Assam, the Naga population is found in North Cachar district and Karbi Anglong district of Assam albeit the proportion is very low. From the above analysis, we found that Naga population are distributed according to the ethnic territory and it is clearly definable of the various Naga ethnic groups and traditional boundaries. However, some Naga groups are divided into two or more districts and states. For instance, the contiguous homeland ofkacha Nagas and kabui Nagas are divided into Tamenglong, Senapati and Churachandpur districts of Manipur, Kohima district of Nagaland and North Cachar Hill district of Assam. The decline in the proportion of Naga population in the districts could be attributed to the presence ofnon-nagas migrants.

18 TABLE 3.5(b) Distribution ofnaga Population by District, Manipur, 1991 Percentage Share of Population to the Total Naga Population NagaGroups Senapati Tamenglong Chande/ Ukhrul Impha/ Churachandpur Thoubal Bishnupur 1. Anal Angami Chiru O.oi Chothe Kabui Kacha Naga Koireng Lamkang Mao Maram Maring Monsang Moyon Serna Tangkhul Naga Population to District's Total Source: Same as table 3.5(a). 3.2 Summary The above analysis is entirely based on the official data of Government of India. At the ; same time in the absence of authentic information and reliable sources of data, examination ofnaga population is very difficult. As per 1991 population census the total Naga population recorded is 14,54,864 persons. Among the Nagas, the Ao Nagas registered the largest groups followed by the Konyak, Tangkhul, and the smallest Naga groups are Makhori, Koireng and Mongsang. In the decade , the Naga population records a growth rate of per cent which is much higher then the previous one (29.66 per cent). The best known for the growth rate ofnaga population is that the major or bigger groups contribute the most population in the total Naga population. The sex ratio exhibits a declining trend in the last decade. As per census report there is considerable shortage of female population in the Naga society. However, this 80

19 report needs further examination and in-depth investigation. About rural and urban distribution, a majority of the Naga population lives in the rural areas, that is, village. As per 1991 population census about 90 per cent ofthe Naga lives in the village. Each of the Naga ethnic groups are found in their respective district. For instance the Ao Naga is found in Makokchung district, Semas in Zunheboto district and Tangkhul in Ukhrul dsitrict. Notes 1 Before examining the size and growth rate patterns of the Naga population, it is important to consider some aspects of census enumeration process followed by the GO I. The enumeration of India's population is based on extended de facto type wherein the enumeration is spread over a J'eriod of roughly three week (generally in the month of February). The enumeration for the 14 census was held from February 9 to 28, India's census is considered as world's largest census operations involving more than 5 Lakh workers. 2 This figure is purely based on the India Population Census' report. 81