DISTRICT INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION
The administrative headquarters of the newly created District among 8(eight) Districts of Mizoram, Kolasib District is situated to the north of Aizawl District. Kolasib was initially created as the centre of Tribal Development Block on the day of the birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation in 1957 and was manned by Project Executive Officer. It was later upgraded to be administered by the Area Administrative Officer. When Mizoram elevated to a Union Territory in 1972, Kolasib was upgraded as the headquarters of Sub-Division manned by Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) on 5 th May, 1975 .
Being the seat of administration for more than three long decades its present status of District was created by the Government of Mizoram following the trifurcation of Aizawl District in 1998.

LOCATION AND BOUNDARIES
Kolasib District is situated between 23^o 70^o and 24^o 50^o N Latitude and 920^o 50^o W – 93^o E Longitude. It is bounded by Cachar District and Hailakandi District, Assam on the north and north west respectively, on the south and east by Aizawl District, Mizoram and on the south west by Mamit District, Mizoram
The location of the district occupies an important site as it is the main stream of road communication from other state of Mizoram. National Highway No.54 passes through the middle of the district from north to south direction. The only rail head in the state located at Bairabi. The only centre for Military Counter Insurgency & Jungle Warfare School in the country is located at Vairengte, which is the largest and well known to the whole of Asia as well as in the world.

AREA AND POPULATION
The total area of the district is 1472.12 Sq.KM of which 70% of the total area of the District is under Forest cover. Total number of villages in the district is 34, four sub-towns namely-Kawnpui, Bualpui, Bairabi, Vairengte and one full-fledged town, Kolasib.
The total number of population in the District as per Census 2001 is 65960 where as 34562 are male while 31398 are female.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS
For the purpose of general and development administration, the district has been divided into 3(three) Sub-Divisions viz. Kolasib Sadar, Vairengte and Kawnpui and 2(two) R.D. Block, i.e. Thingdawl and Bilkhawthlir for the purpose of general and development administration.

OCCUPATION
About 75% of population entirely depends upon agriculture and allied activities. The District itself seems to be self sufficient from the product of WRC and shifting cultivation as the District covers low lying areas which is highly potential area of Agriculture in Mizoram. Soil emotion is found suitable for varieties of crops.

FORESTRY
Forest covers more than 70% of the total District area. The hilly areas of the district ranging from north to south. Forest are crucial resource on which depends the livelihood of the majority of the population of the district. Tropical moist deciduous forest and bamboo forests are the commonest form of vegetation. Numerous other trees, shrubs and herbs provide vegetables, fruits, fuel (fire wood), dyes, medicines and fibres.

AGRICULTURE
Agriculture is the most important land use in the district, which is done through WRC and jhum or primitive method of cultivation (shifting) and about 75% of the total population depends upon agriculture. About 984.00Ha of land is recorded as irrigated land, 4752.01Ha (approx) of land is covered by WRC (developed and to be developed). Most of the cultivated area in the district is under cereal cultivation mainly rice, other crops includes pulses, fruits, vegetables, arecanuts, etc.

IRRIGATION
Lack of irrigational facilities is their main constraints of increasing agricultural production in the district. Through the district is agricultural potential area (WRC) in the state, there has been a gradual increased in irrigated land which does not permitted double cropping in the available land in many areas.

LIVESTOCK
Rearing of livestock for an economic purpose has not yet become very popular in the district. Most of household owned some cattle, pigs and poultry for their own consumption.

LITERACY AND EDUCATIONAL FACILITY
The literacy rate in the District is 91.38 per cent. Efforts are being made to provide primary and school education through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and to raise the standard of quality of education in the district. In Kolasib District, there are 2(two) colleges, 1 Higher Secondary and 18 High Schools (including privates), 40 Government Middle Schools, 3 Deficit Middle Schools and 15(app.) Private Middle Schools including English Medium Schools and 100 Primary Schools (including Private Schools).

PUBLIC HEALTH AND HYGIENE
In Kolasib District, there are 1 (one) Community Health Centre, 3 (three) Primary Health Centres viz. Bairabi, Bilkhawthlir and Lungdai (10 beded each), and 3(three) subsidiary Health Centres viz. Vairengte, Kawnpui, Bukpui (10 beded each). Health and Public welfare Programmes being run in the District are Malaria Eradication Programme, Leprosy Eradication Programme, TB Control Programme, Family Welfare Programme and other Health Programmes.

CLIMATE
Kolasib District comes under the tropical monsoon climate zone of India. It experiences direct impact of monsoon. The average annual rainfall is 197 cms, approximately. Except in low lying valley, the temperature fluctuation is low and the climate remains moderate throughout the year. Winter extends from November to February with temperature ranging between 12^o to 23^o C. March to May comprises a short summer, during which the temperature varies between 20^o – 30^o C with valleys hotter and humid while the hill tops are cooler and pleasant.