Amazing Terraced Fields of Nagaland

A beautiful scenic view of Porba Village surrounded by terraced rice fields. Porba is located in Sakraba of Phek district in Nagaland. www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero
Nagaland is a tiny tribal state in the North-East corner of India. Nestled amongst lush scenic mountains and rolling hills, it has an area of 16,579 square kilometres (6,401 sq mi) with a population of 1,980,602 making it one of the smallest states of India. Nagaland has basically an agricultural economy and over 70% of the population is dependent on agriculture. Rice is the dominant crop and also the staple diet of the Naga people. Of the gross cropped area under food grains, rice accounts for about 84.4%.

One of the main methods of cultivation practised by the Nagas is wet terraced paddy cultivation. Carved out on hillsides by hand without the use of any modern tools, the terraced fields of Nagaland are a marvel and an amazing sight to see. The fields are irrigated by a network of water channels. Normally, the terraces are graduated in such a way that water flows down conveniently from one terrace to the other below it. But in some places, bamboo pipes are also used to regulate the flow of water.

Terrace cultivation is practised mainly by the Naga Angami and Chakhesang tribes. The fields are family owned and handed down from generation to generation.

Terraced fields of Jakhama Village in Kohima district of Nagaland. 
www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero

Mesulimi, another Chakhesang Village in Phek district of Nagaland, lies side by side the terraced paddy fields of the villagers. In most Naga villages, you will find the original fields cut by the forefathers close to the settlements. As the populations increased, the fields moved further away from the villages. 
www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero

Beautifully aligned paddy terraces with glowing ears of ripening harvest carpet the valley floors of Khonoma Village in Kohima district of Nagaland. Khonoma is a historically prominent village as it was the last to fall in the Naga fight against British Colonial Power in 1880.  
www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Kelevino Talie
A couple prepares their field for plantation.  www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero

Terraced fields of Chakhesang villagers carved round the contours of a mountainside above a road snaking across to the village seen in the distance on the next mountain. 
www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero

Little thatched shelters as seen here are found at the border corners of each family plot where farmers go for lunch and a few minutes rest during the day. These shelters typically have a small fireplace and you will always find some rough tools inside and a pouch of salt stashed in a corner somewhere.
www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero
A small plot of rice terraces nestled among lush green trees. 
www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero
A close-up shot of a beautifully hand structured three-tiered rice terrace. 
www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero









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