Lunglei

Lunglei was the Capital of South Lushai Hill Districts for 10 years from 1888, as was Aizawl for the North Hill Districts.[1] The two were united in 1898. Lunglei is the second-largest town in Mizoram and was an important town until the partition of India as it had direct access to Chittagong, a big city in Bangladesh which made Lunglei the commercial and education centre.[2] As of 1912, there were only 2 shops in Lunglei 1922 which increased to 4 shopes in 1922. The first Jeepable road to Lunglei was made only in the 1950s.[3] on 1 March 1966, the MNF declared unilateral Mizo Independence and attacked Assam Rifles post at Lunglei, captured the SDO and seized Rs 18 Lakhs from the Govt Treasury.[4]

Lunglei is located at 22.88°N 92.73°E / 22.88; 92.73.[5] It has an average elevation of 1222  metres (4009 feet).

Lunglei is one of the prominent districts of Mizoram. Encompassing a total area of 4,538 square kilometres (1,752 sq mi), the district of Lunglei has a population of 137,155. The district of Lunglei is 235 kilometres (146 mi) from Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram and is easily accessible by well maintained roads. The district is bounded on the north by Mamit and Aizawl districts, on the west by Bangladesh, on the south by Lawngtlai district, on the southeast by Saiha district, on the east by Myanmar and on the northeast by Champhai district. As of 2011 India census,[6] Lunglei had a population of 57,011. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Lunglei has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 83%. In Lunglei, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The district of Lunglei has been further divided into major sub divisions of Hnahthial SDO (S), Lunglei SDO (S) and Tlabung SDO (S) and 4 R.D. Blocks, Bunghmun, Hnahthial, Lunglei and Lungsen. The district has 7 assembly constituencies. These are South Tuipui, Lunglei North, Lunglei East, Lunglei West, Lunglei South, Thorang and West Tuipui for the administrative convenience of the district officials. Lunglei town is the administrative headquarters of the district.[7]

The Major Educational Institutions of Higher Learning in Lunglei are:

• Lunglei Government College, Lunglei
• J.Buana College, Lunglei[8]
• Kapthangi College Lunglei. Electric Veng
• Higher and Technical Institute of Mizoram[9]
• Mizoram Polytechnic offering Engineering diploma courses.[10]
• Lunglei Nursing College [11]
• Christian Hospital Serkawn Nursing College[12]
• Mizoram Engineering College
• District Institute of Education and Training (DIET)

Blessed with unmatchable natural scenic beauty, Lunglei draws several tourists from far and wide who are absolutely thrilled with the captivating sight of the place. Some of the notable tourist spots of the district of Lunglei are:

• Zobawk Sports Academy[13]
• Kawmzawl Park[14]
• Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary
• Saikuti Hall[15] where most of the concerts and celebrations are held. A unique museum has also been established in the hall where local painters demonstrate their skill and exhibit their works.
• Thuamluaia Mual - is the second football stadium with Artificial turf in Mizoram.[16]

For those tourists who want to add a bit of adventure in their sojourn to Mizoram, Lunglei offers them with a plethora of picnic spots to explore their inherent sporting skills and sportsman spirit. Lunglei district offers the tourists to enjoy natural splendor coupled with the rich cultural traditions of the region.

The closest route to Lunglei in the 1890s was through Tlabung, a town about 35 kilometers from Lunglei where Karnaphuli River connects to Chittagong, a distance of about 90 kilometers. In the 1940s, a trip from Lunglei to Shillong or Kolkata passed through Chittagong rather than Aizawl.[20]

A Helicopter service by Pawan Hans has been started between Aizawl and Lunglei.[21] The distance between Lunglei and Aizawl is less than 200 kilometres (120 mi), and the cities are connected by regular service of buses and jeeps.[22] There are also plans to construct a small airport at Kawmzawl, about 25 kilometres (16 mi) from Lunglei.[23]

Lunglei has 9.97% of the forest land within its total area. Most of the indigenous local inhabitants of the district of Lunglei depend on agriculture and earn their livelihood from growing crops. The cash crops of coffee and rubber help the district to earn its revenue. The farmers of the district mostly practice the traditional method of shifting cultivation, which is popularly referred to as jhum. Rice is the principal crop in the agricultural economy. Cottage industries produce handloomed cloth, furniture, agricultural equipment, woven textiles, and bamboo and cane work. Lunglei is also the Church Headquarters of Baptist Church of Mizoram.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Lunglei.

• Lunglei local News
• Sinlung News