Kiphire district, wedged between Saramati, Nagaland's highest mountain, and the Jingkhu range

Background

Kiphire district is located in the eastern most part of Nagaland, bordering Myanmar, and is 254 km away from the Capital city Kohima. It is wedged between Saramati, the highest mountain in the state, and the Jingkhu mountains, and is located at an elevation of 896.42 meters above the mean sea level. The district officially recognises three tribes, the Sangtam, Yimchungrü and Sümi, besides several sub-tribes speaking various languages. Its important festivals are Mongmong, observed by the Sangtam during September, Metümnio, observed in the month of August by the Yimchungrü, and Tuluni, observed in July by the Sümi. Fakim Wild Life Sanctuary in the district shelters Blyth’s Tragopan (Tragopan blythii), hornbill and hill peacocks. Apples are grown in abundance in the foothills of Saramati Mountain, and an Apple Festival has become an annual fixture at Thanamir, a frontier village bordering Myanmar.