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A beautiful scenic view of
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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.
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Terraced fields of
www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero
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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
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Beautifully aligned paddy terraces with glowing ears of
ripening harvest carpet the valley floors of
www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Kelevino Talie
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A couple prepares their field for plantation. www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero
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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
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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
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A small plot of rice terraces nestled among lush green
trees.
www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero
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A close-up shot of a beautifully hand structured
three-tiered rice terrace.
www.thatangamigirl.com/ Photograph: Chizokho Vero
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