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The Maras occupy the southern
portion of Mizoram,the hill tracts situated in the areas of
Indo-Myanmar border. The whole region inhabited by the Maras is
commonly called "Marara" in the local language meaning the "land of
the Maras" or "Maraland".In the early British period,it was
popularly known to the Britishers as "Lakherland" as the Maras were
then designated as "Lakher". In 1922,the whole region occupied by
them was divided up into different parts among the three districts
viz the Lushai hills, the Chin Hills and the Arkan Hill Tracts.From
1924,the Maras villages which had fallen to the Lushai hills had
been administered as part of the district under the Chief
Commissioner of Assam.In 1953,
the Mara area of the
erstwhile Lushai Hills was loosely amalgamated with the Lai area to
create an autonomous region under the name "Pawi-Lakher Region"
under the Sixth schedule of the Indian Constitution. Capt.T.H.Lewin
used the term "Lakher-Pawi" in his account while he visited the
southern Mizoram in the year 1865-66.Under the same context,in
1972,the Mara area was again separated from the Lai area to form an
autonomous district under the name"Lakher District" which was again
rechristened into "Mara District" in 1988. Saiha, locally known as
Siaha is the capital town of the Mara Autonomous District,and also
the headquarter of the Chhimtuipui District,which is now changed
into Saiha District.Tuipang also known to the Maras as "Tipa" is the
sub-headquarter of the Mara autonomous District.
The Mara
Autonomous District lies in the loop of the Kolodyne river between
the latitude 21'.50' and 20degree.35' North and between the
longtitude 92degree 55' and 93degree 35' East.Situated in the
southern part of the Mizoram, it covers an area of about 1445 square
kilometres.It is flanked on the north and east by the Lai Autonomous
District of Mizoram and on the east and the south by the Chin State
of Myanmar.Geographically,the Mara Autonomous District is isolated
from the rest of India both its distance and forbidding nature of
hills terrain.Steep hill ranges running in different directions
pludge the features.
Hills ranges are separated from one another by ridges and forrows.The average height of these range is about 900-1500 metres.There
are a number of high peaks.The Mawma with a height of 2050 metres is the highest mountain in the Mara district.There are more
prominent mountains like the Tliatlu 1941 metres, the Kahrie 1918 metres and many others hill ranges.In almost every dimension
numerous summits, valleys and huge precipices of every description are noticed but there is only one plateau, the Pala-Khaikhy
which covers an area of about 180 hectares.
Several rivers run through the land.The more prominent rivers are the Beino,otherwise known as Kolodyne, the Tisi,the Pala, the
Lakie,the Sarau,the Titlao and the Salyu.The first named river is the bigest,and is also known as Kolodyne or Chhimtuipui which
means "the big rivers of the south".This river has its source in the Lai lake of the Chin State of Myanmar and after a course due south
it makes abrupt turn in the Indo-Myanmar bordering areas and then after running south it joins the Bay of Bengal.There are also many
small rivers,brooks and streams in every rugged valley.Besides,there are also Lakes, the more important remarkable lakes are (1)the
Pala Tipo(Pala lake) is the biggest lake situated in the southern part of the Mara Autonomos Distrit and the lake has a depth of twelve
metres,covering an area of about one square kilometres.(2)Beihlo Tipo(Beihlo Lake) is also located close to the Pala Tipo, and is
locally known to the Maras as"Tipo Ataw".(3) Chhohmo Lake is also situated near the Pala Tipo, and this lake is also locally known
as "Tipo Apino". 4) Hmolai Lake is also situated near Khaikhy village of southern part of the district. Some of the rivers drain towards
the north-south directions.These rivers are abound with many varieties of fish of which the biggest is the cat fish.Even crocodiles are
also found in the Kolodyne river,a fact indicating its size and connection with the Bay of Bengal.
Lying below the striking point of the Tropic of Cancer,the Mara District is bestowed with a pleasant climate enjoying cool in
summer and temparate winter.There is, therefore, no extreme variation of temperature throughout the year; the temperature everaging
18degree C in winter 31degree C in summer.Due to the variation in altitudes and features,some places are subjected to tropical and
sub-tropical climate whereas the rest has temperate and sub-temperate climate.Monsoon period which falls from May to September
brings heavy rain with violent storm, average annual rainfall is 240.6cm. During the monsoon season the rain water rushes down the
hill sides causing landslides and soil erosion, and some rivers swell up with great concussion,while in winter they dry up quickly. The
most remarkable flood occured in 1989 and in 1995.
The Mara District is very rich in forest resources.The entire area is covered with thick forest which is a continuation of Mizoram
hill system. About 289 square kilometres of the area is under forest of which reserve forest occupies above 82 square kilometres the
protected Reserve Forest covers 20.5 square kilometres, and Riverine Reserved Forest 72.5 square kilometres.The hills are covered
with tropical jungles with evergreen enchanting. Several kinds of trees including flowering ones and variety of bamboo are in great
abundance.The scenery of the jungle throughout the land is very pictureque, the hill and valleys are densely covered with boundless
forest.Large areas of the forest have,however,been destroyed by the Maras over the years without any attention to the plantation.
However,in late years, due to the efforts of the Mara Autonomous District Council,the hills are regaining their old picture with new
plantation of many new species of trees.
...more
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