History and Geography
Manipur has a long and glorious history from the beginning of the Christian era. The recorded history of kingship started from 33 A.D., which marked the coronation of Pakhangba. After Pakhangba, a series of kings ruled over the kingdom of Manipur. The independence and sovereignty of Manipur remained uninterrupted until the Burmese invaded and occupied it for seven years in the first quarter of the 19th century (1819-25). Then came British Paramountcy in 1891, and later on it was merged in the Indian Union as part "C" State on 15 October, 1949. This was replaced by a Territorial Council of 30 elected and 2 nominated members. Later in 1963, a Legislative Assembly of 30 elected and 3 nominated members was established under the Union Territories Act, 1962. The status of the administrator was raised from Chief Commissioner to the status of the Lt. Governor with effect from 19 December, 1969. Manipur attained full-fledged statehood on 21 January, 1972. With this, a Legislative Assembly consisting of 60 elected members was established.
Manipur is situated on the eastern frontier of India. It is bounded on the east by Myammar (Burma), on the north by the State of Nagaland, on the west by the State of Assam and on the south by the State of Mizoram and Myanmar. Manipur lies between 23.830 N and 25.680 N latitude and between 93.030 E and 94.780 E longitude. It has an area of 22,327 sq. kms. Physically Manipur comprises of two parts, the hills and the valley. The valley is at the centre surrounded by hills on all sides. The hills cover about 9/10 of the total area of the State. Manipur Valley is about 790 metres above the sea level. The hill ranges are higher on the north and gradually diminish in height as they reach the southern part of Manipur. The valley itself slopes down towards the south.
Agriculture
Agriculture and allied activities is the only mainstay of the State's economy where about 70 percent of the population depends on it. Agriculture in the State is confined to 10.48 percent of the total geographical area. The irrigated area is 30,980 ha. i.e. 13.24 percent of the net agricultural land. The State is marginally deficit in cereals and highly deficit in the production of oilseeds and pulses. In spite of the rapid advancement in the crop productivity, the faster of population growth poses a great problem to agriculture in the State.
Industry
Major and Medium Irrigation had been introduced in the State from 1980. So far 8 (eight) Major and Medium Irrigation & Multipurpose Projects have been taken up, of which 5 (five) projects had been completed up to the end of Eighth Plan.
Irrigation potential of 28,500 Ha has been created with utilisation of 21,850 Ha. In addition 1,200 Ha and 900 Ha of low lying areas of Loushipat and Poiroupat respectively has been reclaimed by Thoubal Project. Running & Maintenance Schemes are on the pipe line for bridging the gap between potential created and actual utilised. 4 MGD of raw water is supplied to the State Public Health Engineering Department from Singda Multipurpose Project for water supply. 5 MGD of raw water is also being supplied from Khuga Multipurpose Project to state PHED from 2007.
At present, the State Government has given special attention to accelerate the progress of the three ongoing projects and to achieve completion of Khuga Multipurpose Project in 2006, Thoubal Multipurpose Project and Dolaithabi Barrage in 2008. The State Government is continuing investigation works for taking up new projects under State Plan as well as funding by NEC.
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