Phek district

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]

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.[6][7]

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, 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.[6]

Avakhung International Border Checkpost, also known as Avankhu in Phek district of Nagaland, is an International Border Checkpost on India–Myanmar barrier and a highway is being developed as part of the Bharatmala project (2017-2022).[8]

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.[7]

A man of the Pochury Tribe of Nagaland

As of 2011 the 2011 census Phek district has a population of 163,418, roughly equal to the nation of Saint Lucia.[11] This gives it a ranking of 596th in India (out of a total of 640). Phek has a sex ratio of 951 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 78.05%.

The district is the home of the Chakhesang and Pochury tribes.[4]

The district has five Vidhan Sabha Constituences, namely, Pfütsero, Chizami, Chozuba, Phek and Meluri. The last elections were held in 2018. The next legislative assembly election will be held in 2023.

As part of Lok Sabha, Phek district is part of the Nagaland Lok Sabha constituency. In the 2019 Indian general election, Tokheho Yepthomi of the NDPP won by 16,000 votes over his rival K.L. Chishi of the Indian National Congress.[1] The next general election is in 2024.

Terrace Cultivation in Pfutsero

Cotton 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.[7]

Manufacturing here includes production of salt in Meluri, fruit juice production, weaving, bamboo and wood carving.[4]

The healthcare sector comprises one hospital, two community health centres and eight primary health centres.[6]

The education sector comprises 116 primary schools, 46 middle schools, 18 high schools plus one higher secondary school, and three colleges.[6] The literacy rate of the district is 78.05%.[3]

Kapamüdzü Peak

Lake Shilloi

Phek District has numerous tourist attractions to visit and explore. Below are few of the tourist attractions in the district:[4][12]

• Chakhesang Naga
• Chakhesang language

• Official site
• Nagaland Tourism
• Phek Tourism
• How To Reach Phek