Phek District (pron:/ˈfɛk/) is a district in the Indian state of Nagaland. At 2,026 square kilometres (782 sq mi), the district is the seventh-most populous district in Nagaland and 596th most populous district in India with 163,418 inhabitants.[3] The district is home to 8.26% population of Nagaland. The town of Phek is the district headquarter, located 120 kilometres from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland and the largest urban centre is Pfütsero.[4]
History
Phek District was established in 1973 when it was carved out of the erstwhile Kohima District. The name Phek comes from the word Phekrekedze, meaning watchtower. The Government of Nagaland approved Phek as a full-fledged district on 19 December 1973.[4] The district has 14 subdivisions, namely, Pfütsero, Phek Sadar, Chetheba, Chozuba, Meluri, Chizami, Sekrüzu, Razieba, Sakraba, Zuketsa, Phor, Khuza, Khezhakeno and Phokhungri.[5][3] In 2024, Meluri sub-division was carved out of the district to form Meluri district.[6]
Geography
Phek District is a mountainous region rich in flora and fauna, with 70% of its land covered in evergreen forest. The highest mountain is Zanibu, with the summit over 2,400 m (7,900 ft) above mean sea level (AMSL).[3] The district HQ town of Phek lies at the lowest altitude of the district at 1,524m above sea level, with the town of Pfütsero at the highest point 2,136m above.[7][8]
The largest rivers of the district are the Tizu, Lanyi, Arachu, and the three most important lakes are the Shilloi, Chida and Dzüdü.[4]
As of 2002[update], of its 89 recognized villages, twelve were not accessible by road at all, and of the rest, only 24 were accessible by "all-weather roads". Only 9 of the 89 villages were still to be connected to the water supply.[7]
Avakhung International Border Checkpost, also known as Avankhu in Phek district of Nagaland, is an International Border Checkpost on the India–Myanmar barrier and a highway is being developed as part of the Bharatmala project (2017-2022).[9]
Climate
The summers are moderately warm with the average temperature being 27°C without exceeding 32°C. Monsoon starts towards the end of May and is over by the end of September. Winters are cold, in comparison to the nearby plains of Assam, with the temperature dropping to 0°C in the coldest months of January and February.[10]
The Deputy Commissioner's office is located in Phek. The current Deputy Commissioner of the district is Razouvolie Dozo.[2] The district is split into 14 administrative circles, in which Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) headquarters are located in Pfütsero, Chozuba and Meluri.[3] A Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) is located in Chizami and Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC) headquarters are located in Sakraba, Sekrüzu, Phokhungri, Khezhakeno, Chetheba, Khuza, Zuketsa, Phor, Lephory and Razeba.[8]
Christianity is the religion of 97% of the inhabitants. Other religions followed are Hinduism by 2% of the population, Islam by 0.6%, Buddhism by 0.2%, and a few Jains and Sikhs.
Terrace Cultivation in PfutseroCotton Processing by a woman of Pochury Tribe
Agriculture is the main occupation with Terrace Rice Cultivation (TRC) as the most predominant throughout Phek district. Shifting cultivation or Jhum Cultivation is a common practice.[4] Important crops produced in the district include rice, maize and millet.[8]
Manufacturing here includes production of salt in Meluri, fruit juice production, weaving, bamboo and wood carving.[4]
Health
The healthcare sector comprises one hospital, two community health centres and eight primary health centres.[7]
Education
The education sector comprises 116 primary schools, 46 middle schools, 18 high schools plus one higher secondary school, and three colleges.[7] The literacy rate of the district is 78.05%.[3]
Khezhakeno Village is considered to be the ancestral home of many Naga ethnic groups.[16]
Glory Peak
Glory Peak (2,600 metres (8,500 ft)) is a peak located in Pfütsero, the highest altitude settlement in Nagaland.[17]
Rüzazho
Subhas Chandra Bose made Rüzazho the operational base of his Indian National Army (INA) during the World War II, when he liberated Mizoram and parts of Nagaland from the colonial British control with the help of Japanese forces. He stayed here for 10 days and recruited more than thousand natives of Nagaland in INA to fight against British, British Indian rupee was banned and Japanese rupee (1942–44) was introduced. "The house in which Netaji lived and the wooden cot on which he slept during his stay in Nagaland are preserved at Rüzazho Village. The love and respect for Netaji are reflected in the local folklore and songs."[18] The village and the operation base of Netaji Subhash is a pilgrimage and tourism site for Indian patriots and history buffs.
Terapimithu
Terapimithu is a peak standing at 2,232 metres (7,323 ft)
Transportation
Air
The nearest airport is Dimapur Airport in Nagaland located 193 kilometres from district headquarters Phek. There is a helipad in Phek as well.
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