Khawbung

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Khawbung ^[1] (/koʊbuːŋ/)^[stress?] is a village in the Champhai district in the Indian state of Mizoram. It is the administrative centre of Khawbung rural development block^[2] and Khawbung assembly constituency which has been renamed as the 25 East Tuipui Constituency.^[3]

Khawbung is a village in the eastern corner of Mizoram which carries the historical account of the Mizo people. Khawbung is about a four hours' drive by light vehicles and 80 kilometres from Champhai. It is an administrative block headquarters headed by a Block Development Officer (BDO). There are 25 villages^[4] with a total population of 22,139 (11295 males and 10844 females)^[5] under the Khawbung RD Block. The area is physically bound by the lakes of R.Tuipui and R.Tiau. The geographic location of Khawbung is relatively higher than the rest of the state. Khawbung's placement has influenced patterns of stream networks, vegetation and climate within the area.

History[]

The village of Khawbung is named after one of the sub-clans of the Hmar people, who settled at the southern outskirt of the present settlements during the 1870s. Khawbung sub- clans of Hmars are large family and good governance with leadership guality among the Hmar tribe in early times. Khawbungs are sub- divided into several . sub- clan as - Riengsete,Pangamte,Pajamte, Punte,Bunglung,Fente,etc . Khawbung sub- clan of Hmars built and settled in this village in the early of 1800s.Khawbung male are kind hearted, brave, good leadership with governance. But female are intelligent, courage, hard working , good knitting and business minded .In the early 20th century, the Sailo Chief at the time, Kairuma, wanted to build a separate Sailo Chiefdom for his son Lalbika. Lalbika was only 15 years old at the time. Due to Labika's age, Kairuma could not place confidence in Labika as village head-man. Hautuliana was appointed as the village head-men to undertake the charge for administrative matters in Labika's place. The village was built in 1903 and named Khawbung due to its location at the old site of Hmars -Khawbung.^{[citation needed]}

The village is headed by a Village Council President and almost all issues regarding the village administration are under his authority. The President and Village Council Members have taken responsibility for all matters in the village administration with regards to law, order and village development projects. But in certain social issues, some NGOs like YMA and MHIP play a role which reduces the burdens of the village council members. In respect to governmental administration, the Block Development Officercoillaborates directly with the government servants for functional machinery.^{[citation needed]}

Geography[]

Khawbung
Sub-Town
Khawbung Location in Mizoram, India Khawbung Khawbung (India) Show map of MizoramShow map of IndiaShow all
Coordinates: 23°10′N 93°14′E / 23.167°N 93.233°E / 23.167; 93.233Coordinates: 23°10′N 93°14′E / 23.167°N 93.233°E / 23.167; 93.233
Country	India
State	Mizoram
District	Champhai
Population  (2011)
• Total	2,097[6]
Languages
• Official	Mizo
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	796321
Vehicle registration	MZ
Coastline	0 kilometres (0 mi)
Nearest city	Champhai
Sex ratio	978 females per 1000 males[6] ♂/♀
Literacy	98.12%
Website	mizoram.nic.in

The village land is under the rock formation of Barail Group (the Upper Barail Unit) of the Oligocene Age. This is evident from its anticlinal rock strata and composition. The rock formation is a predominantly monotonous sequence of weathered shale, interbedded and inter-laminated with siltstone, exhibiting weathering pink, grey and greenish colourations. Satellite Imagery shows that a minor fault line passed through the village land in a NW-SE direction.^{[citation needed]}

Khawbung village^[7] is situated on the lofty hill range of the eastern corner of Mizoram and geographically located between 23°6´58´´ to 23°15´28´´ N lat. and 93°9´30´´ to 93° 15´ 54´´ E long. The lowest point of the village land is 478 metres above the mean sea level at the junction between R.Tuipui and R.Tlangva while the highest point —Chalchhunga-pu-chal is located at the ridge of Puanvawrh-kham and is 1742 metres above the mean sea level. The village land has an Italy-shaped village boundary, which is stretched from NW to SE. The total geographical area is around 54 km². The total geographical area is insignificant at the state level, provided that it constitutes only 0.26% of Mizoram’s total geographic area.

Topography[]

Khawbung hill range is branched out from Puanvawrh Tlang and Patetar Tlang whose foothills have merged into R.Tiau in the south and R. Tuipui in the west. In the north-western part of the village, there stands a separate hill rocks locally known as Phuihnam Tlang and Samak Tlang. These two hillocks form a hill block separate from the rest of the village land. The local relief features have also different names — Chawr Tlangdung, Zosang, Tlanmual, Mubu Tlang, Tlangtlir, Pawngvina Mual, Hmeithai Mual, Chhingzawl, Tlaikuang Tlang, Bellei Tlang, Samak Tlang, Phuihnam Tlang and Mualzal. These are the minor hill ridges observed within the village jurisdiction.

Drainage[]

The village land is drained by two drainage systems; the R.Tuipui Drainage system and R.Tlawva Drainage system. Rivers of the R.Tuipui Drainage system include Tlangva Lui, Tlaikuang Lui, Samak Lui, Mualzal Lui, Chhingzawl Lui and Tuiaw Lui. These major streams mostly flow west-wards while rivers of the R.Tlawva Drainage system flow south-wards. Rivers of the R. Tlawa Drainage system are Chawr Lui and Vawmkhum Lui. Small streams which have come together with these major streams have different patterns of flowing. Eklung Lui, which is the major tributary of Vawmkhumlui, has a dendritic pattern while all other streams have combined. Chawr Lui and Vawmkhum Lui have parallel patterns. In the R.Tuipui drainage system, streams of the Samak form rectangular patterns and parallel patterns. The Tlaikuang Lui streams form a dendritic pattern and the streams spread from Phuihnam Tlang and Tlaikuang Tlang represent radial patterns. All these drainage patterns are influenced by geological adjustments of the area.

Climate[]

The temperature remains constant between 22 °C to 31 °C during summer. The range of temperature during this season is between 12 °C to 21 °C. The village receives monsoonal rainfall from the Bay of Bengal Branch of Monsoon from Meghalaya Plateau during the months of April, May and the early part of June. Towards the end of June and the whole July, rain comes from the south-east. During this time, the village is under the rain shadow of Tan Tlang and does not receive a sufficient amount of rainfall. During the month of August, local rains cover certain patches of the village land, where forests are denser due to local convection. The retreating monsoon blows over Khawbung in the later part of October and in the month of November. There is no systematic record of rainfall in the village.

Vegetation[]

Due to altitudinal influence, the village land can be divided into three vegetation belts; bamboo belt, mixed forest belt and hardwood belt. These altitudinal belts of vegetation within the village jurisdiction show the major striking features of vegetation in the village land.

• Bamboo Belt: This belt is mainly found between 478 metres to 750 metres above sea level. It is an area containing thickets of bamboos and wild bananas. Only three bamboo species named Mautak (), Phulrua (Dendrocalamus hamiltonii) and Raw-nal (Dendrocalamus longispathus) have been identified but Raw-nal is a rare species which is found in very little quantity in this area. Phulruas are mainly grown on the side of streams as a form of self-propagation. Some tree species sparsely found in this belt are Thlanvawng (Gmelina arborea), Lawngthing (Dipterocarpus turbinatus), Sahatah (Dysoxylum binectariferum), Nganbawm (Acrocarpus fraxinifolius), Theitat (Artocarpus lokoocha), Hmawng (Fiscus bengalenis), Pang (Bombax insigne), Kangtek (Albizia procera), Zairum (Anogneissus acuminata), Char (Tarminalia mycriocarpa), Zuang (Duabanga sonneratioides) and Ngiau (Michelia champaca). Teak is found along the bank of R.Tuipui on plantion. It is characterised by the Tropical evergreen forest.
• Mixed Forest Belt: This belt is mainly found between 750 metres to 1250 metres above sea level. Bamboos and softwood trees are well mixed in the lower altitude. But in the higher belt, softwoods are mono-typically found. In this belt, only Mautak and Phulrua are found among bamboo species. The area is symbolised by a commonly found species of tree locally known as Then (Quercus xylocarpus). Other dominant species include — Khiang (Schimila Wallichii), Char (Tarminalia mycriocarpa), Zuang (Duabanga sonneratioides), Ngiau (Michelia champaca), Hlai (Quercus helferiana), Tlangham (Lyonia ovalifolia), Tiar (Saurauja punduana), Fartuah ( stricta), Vaube (Vauhinia variegata), Sialhma (Helica excela), Vang (Albizzia stipulata), Zihnghal (Stereospermum chelonoides), Kharuan (Eloeocarpus lanceoefolius) and Thil (Quercus pachyphyllum). This belt can be included under tropical semi-evergreen forests.
• Hardwood Belt: This belt is mainly found beyond 1250 metres above sea level. In this belt, species commonly found are hardwoods. They are Fah (Quercus sealbata) Phen (Quercus icana), Thingsia ( Castanopsis), Thil (Quercus pachyphyllum), Hlai (Quercus helferiana) and Thualthu (Butea monor). Flowering trees which make this belt distinct from other belts are Chhawkhlei (Rhododenran) and Tlaizawng (Prunus seracoides).^{[citation needed]} Some edible fruits bearing trees and domestic species are Keifang (Myrica nagi), Khawmhma (Rhus javanica), Sunhlu (Emblica officinalis), Hmutau (Rubus ellipticus), Theiria (Not specified), Sialinuchhu (Rubus sirmanicus), Sihneh (Eurya symplocina), Hulhu (Derris wallichii) and Phuihnam (Clerodendron). Within this belt, Far/Pine trees (Pinus kesiya) are found on plantation undertaken by Forest Department. This belt is under Sub-mountain Tropical Forests.

A panorama of Khawbung Sub-Town taken from Electric Sub-Station

Transport and Communication[]

By 1992, a truck-able road passed through the village en route from Champhai to Biate. The road was completely surfaced after 6 years of construction. Before 1990, the village only had a jeep-able road and all the movements of goods and passengers were only done with Jeeps and other light vehicles. Head loading and animal carriages were the main transportation means, which were commonly used for local goods during that time. MST Bus services have been available from 1992 for passengers and goods transportation. This has brought about a big change in the village economy. From 2000, Sumo services have been available from Khawbung to Champhai. Three sumo-services are constantly available. Since 2010, one sumo-service has been added from Khawbung to Aizawl thrice a week. The sumo-services make travel easier for passengers. One large bus service is also available from Khawbung to Champhai. Bulk or heavy transportation is mainly done through Tripper, 407, 409 and pick-up motors at a local to national level. These are available to and from the village.

Means of communication include Postal Services, Telephone Services, Mobile Services and Internet Services. There is a headquarter of sub-post office. The services provided by the sub-post office includes both postage and financial facilities.

The village has experienced telephone services for more than a decade. BSNL launched the first telephone service on 24 May 2001. In 2015, less than 70 households have landline connections which accounts for 46.2% of all the households. Due to the improper functioning of BSNL landlines and its higher tariff, most landline connections have been disconnected. World Land-Line (WLL) Service was also launched on 25 November 2007. The service has been available from remote villages of the eastern corner of Mizoram and the western slopes of Len Tlang in Myanmar.

Mobile services became available from 2009 with tower transmitters. The first mobile service was provided by BSNL which started functioning on 26 June 2009 and followed by Reliance mobile service on 10 November 2009. Since its inception, Reliance company has preceded the BSNL mobile service on the basis of server maintenance. Reliance service is more reliable than BSNL for Khawbung villagers. In 2010, Airtel tower was constructed and started functioning. Mobile services have provided better security for the village as emergency services can be contacted with more ease than before.

No proper internet service provider has entered the village except Community Information Centre (CIC) at BDO complex in 2005. But the authorised provider has stopped their service. Internet service is available, which is accessed through handsets and PCs. With the help of this internet connection, the websites of Khawbung Higher Secondary School, Mizo Hlakungpui Mual and Khawbung PHC were uploaded. Several individuals and students of Khawbung HSS are the beneficiaries of these mobile internet services. At 10:15 pm on 3 January 2015, BSNL Broadband has started functioning and internet could be accessed with increased speed.

View of Mizo Hlakungpui Mual

Tourism[]

Some historical places within the village jurisdiction are: Chhura Farep at Tlaikuang Tlang in the western hillock from the village settlement area. There are engraved human figures on the wall of stone which are supposed to represented the memorial figuring's of Chhura’s sons, there is speculation that these were etched by an unknown tribe who entered the then Lushai Hills before the Lushais. The old site of Selesih, which is a historical city of Mizoram, consists of the stone of Kungawrhi which is stood at the southern outskirt of the village. Depicted on the stone erected is curved female figure with wearing a big necklace - Thihna. Chhingzawl where Chawngfianga used to play a Kawi game locally known as ‘Inkawihnawk’ (Kawi is the large bean-like seed of the or - a thick woody creeper, with an external part that is very hard and black in colour).

Mizo Hlakungpui Mual^[8] -the Mizo Poets Square ^[9] is an artificial cultural heritage of Mizoram, is now a well-known tourist attraction. Tourists visit some notable historical landmarks of its neighbouring villages like Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang, Thasiama-seno-neihna, Fiara Tui, Maurawkela Tui, Kawtchhuah Ropui, Lamsial Puk, etc.

Amenities[]

Civic amenities include:

• Schools: There are 2 Primary Schools, 2 Middle Schools, 1 English Medium School, 1 High School and 1 Higher Secondary School. The total pupil enrolment of both primary schools is 112, while the two Middle Schools had 125 pupils each according to the enrolment of last Academic Session . In 2013 there were two English Medium schools. There is one Government High School in the village whose total enrolment is about 104. A Higher Secondary School has been now functioning with a total enrolment of 39 students.
• Health Centre: There is 1 Primary Health Centre and 1 Sub-Health Centre. This Health Centre is headed by a medical officer.
• Block Resource Centre: Is headed by a co-ordinator and is a training centre undertaken by SSA Mission. Elementary teachers of Khawbung R.D. Block used to gather here for training when required.
• Child Development Project Office: This project was launched in 2007 under Scheme and is headed by the Project Officer (CDPO). At present, there are 5 Anganwadi Centres in the village and another one is under construction.
• Block Development Office: All rural development projects were carried out through this Office and the Department is headed by a Block Development Officer. A full-fledged Block was created on 19 September 1999. From its inception, the remotest parts of villages area have had dramatic changes in socio-economic infrastructures.
• Water Supply: Khawbung village claims itself to be the first village that has public water connection through bamboo-pipe and steel pipe. The first public water connection through bamboo-pipe was used in 1962. When Pu Ch. Saprawnga, the past Chief Executive Member of the Mizo U.T. visited the village in 1972. The village people explained the need for steel pipes. The CM had given them steel pipes for public water connection. The villagers by their own efforts constructed and got public water connection in 1972 from Maumit Tui which was 1.5 kilometres from the Public Water point. The water point was stationed at Zawlbuk the old site of Boys’ Dormitory from which the villagers used to draw water. In 1985 PHE undertaken pipe line for better water supply of the village was augmented for which the source of water was obtained from Samthang Zopui. Since the augmentation of water supply in 1985, public water points were given in different localities. In 2004, the second phase of augmentation was completed getting its source from Tan Tlang. However, due to the deforestation and shifting of agriculture, the water resources have been decreased as time passes. During dry seasons, water supply is not sufficient to meet the local needs. An increase in use of modern toilet and washing machines contributes to the insufficient water supply for the village. Provisionally, the village has a separate PHE Sub-Division Officer. The Sub-Division Office has been functioning at Champhai PHE Complex. Since 2012 S.Khawbung Water Supply Scheme which is responsible for pumping R.Tuipui has commenced and the first pumping test was carried on 20 December 2013 but failed due to leakage at Sasaw Kawn. The first water reached the main Reservoir at 11:45 a.m. on 21 December 2013. S. Khawbung Water Supply Scheme has been successfully commissioned since January 2014. To undertake this project, Khawbung PHE Sub-Division Office started functioning at Khawbung on 12th Sept 2012.
• Power Supply: Electric power was initially joined from Biate in 1987 at 11 KV line. It has input from Champhai Division. Efforts have been undertaken to launch 33 KV Sub-Station at Tlângtlir to improve the power grid and Tlawva Hydel Project. Project Construction Division started on 12 April 2012 and was headed by the Executive Engineer.
• Public Buildings': Three notable public buildings can be observed which include Community Hall, Auditorium and Public Information Centre. These three building serve very important role for social gatherings. The information centre is used for conducting formal functions like awareness campaigns, training, workshops, and, informal functions like reality shows, thanks giving's and other celebrations. The auditorium is used for Block level VCs meeting and Village level Committees. All bigger functions like social gatherings, concerts and conferences are organised at the Community Hall. Indoor games were previously hosted at the Community Hall when Local to Block Level Sports were organised.
• Library & Museum: YMA Museum is stood at Hlakungpui land. Many articles relating to the Mizo material cultures of great values are placed within the museum. But the building is now being developed for tourist attraction and for pupils to have more enriched lessons. There are two libraries in the village; one is a YMA owned library and another one is a private owned library.
• Security Force: 10th Assam Rifles are now stationed at Zuang Tlang, at the highest peak (1394 metres) within the village settlement. The Bravo Company is headed by a Captain. There are 14 buildings including one Mandir.
• Churches: There are 2 Presbyterian Churches, 1 UPC (NE) Church, 1 UPC (MZ) Church, 1 Salvation Army Hall and 1 IKK Church.
• Soil, Water & Forest Conservation: Soil & Water Conservation Department came into existence in 1985 headed by a Range Officer. Due to new schemes generated from Agriculture Department, many works under Soil & Water Conservation Department have been reciprocated by these new schemes.

References[]