Zünheboto district

Zünheboto district came into existence on 19 December 1973.[2]

It is bordered on the north by Mokokchung district, Kohima district and Wokha district on the west, Phek district in the south, and Tuensang district and Kiphire district in the east. Headquarters is at Zünheboto. A hilly place, Zünheboto is covered by evergreen forests and surrounded by small streams and rivers. It is home to Satoi Range,[3] surrounded by 10 villages of Satakha sub-division, which is one of the paradise for ornithologists and bird-watchers.[3] This range comes under Important Bird Area[3] as well as Endemic Bird Area[3] of India. Many endangered species like Blythi Tragopan,[3] Kalij Pheasent[3] and Peacock Pheasent[3] are still seen in this range.

According to the 2011 census, Zünheboto district has a population of 140,757,[1][2] roughly equal to the nation of Saint Lucia.[4] This gives it a ranking of 598th in India (out of a total of 640).[1] Males (71,217) constitute 51.7% of the population and females(69,540) 48.23%.[2] Zünheboto has a sex ratio of 976[2] females for every 1000 males,[1][2] and a literacy rate of 85.3%.[2](3rd in literacy rate among the districts of Nagaland).

Zünheboto is the home to the Sümi Nagas, a warrior tribe of Nagaland. Headhunting was practiced extensively until the advent of the Christian missionaries who converted the warriors to Christianity. Today the people are peaceful and hardworking, practicing agriculture as their main occupation. The district is also home to the largest Baptist church in Asia, the Sümi Baptist Church, Zünheboto.[5]

Today it is home to the Nagaland University whose campus is situated in the village of Lumami in the sub division of Akuluto. This has become the cultural center for the people of Nagaland, as all the Nagas irrespective of tribes come to study here.

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