Reading Material From Assampedia
Reading Material From Assampedia
Flood and Erosion are two main natural disasters being faced by the state. The
flood prone area of the state is 31,500 Sq Km as assessed by the Rashtriya Barh Ayog.The flood prone area of
the country as a whole is about 10.2 % of the total area of the country and flood prone area of Assam is 39.58 %
of the area of the state(about 9.40% of total flood prone area of the whole country )
Study also reveals that an area of 4.27 Lakh Hectare of the state has been eroded by the rivers since 1950,
which is 7.40 % of area of the state. The average annual erosion is 8000 Ha.
Lakes/Ponds of Assam
- The lakes/ponds of Assam cover 0.20% of the total geographical area of the state.
- Highest number of ponds/lakes are in Golaghat district .But, areawise Kamrup district has the highest
area covered by lakes/ponds.
- Some of the important lakes are
1. Chandubi lake: A natural lake situated in Kamrup district at the foot of Garo hills.Migratory
birds visit during winters.Created on 12 June 1987 due to a massive earthquake.
2. Deepor beel: Located in Guwhati, it is the only wetland from Assam which is a part of the
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
3. Dighalipukhri: It is a man-made pond located in Guwahati. It is believed that it was created by the
mythological king King Bhagadatta during the swayamvar of his daughter Bhanumati.
4. Haflong Lake: Located in Dima Hasao district,its surroundings provide suitable ground for
migratory birds in winter.
5. Son beel: Located in Karimganj district. It becomes a farm land for rice cultivation during winters till
March and then the land fills with water and becomes a lake.Also called as Shon Bill,it is the second
largest seasonal wetland in Asia and the largest wetland in Assam.
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6. Joysagar Lake: Located at Sivasagar,it is the largest manmade pond in India.It was built during the
reign of Ahom king Rudra Singh in memory of his mother.There are three set of temples on its north
bank amongst which the most renowned is Joy Dol.
7. Borpukhri: Located in Sivasagar ,the tank is located near the Sivadol.It was built by Queen
Ambika,queen of Ahom king Siva Singha.
8. Urpad beel: It is natural lake located in Goalpara district.
9. Hakama lake: It is located in Dhubri district.
10. Dalu Lake: Located in Silchar
11. Tamranga: Located in Bongaigaon district.
12. Dora Beel: Located in Kamrup district, this beel is fed by Kulsi River which acts both inlet and outlet
for the lake.
13. Kumri beel: It is a natural beel located in Goalpara where a number of birds fly to during winters.
14. Mer beel: Located in Nagaon district.
15. Morikalang beel: Located in Morigaon district.
16. Borsola Beel: Located in Guwahati city, the beel is a part of Bharalu water system.
17. Kalpa Beel: Located in Barpeta district.
18. Maguri Motapung Beel: A wetland located to Dibru-Saikhowa National Park and Motapung Village
of Tinsukia district.
19. Samaguri Beel: It is an ox-bow shaped wetland located in Nagaon district. It is located in
Brahmaputra river basin.
20. Silsako Lake: Located in Kamrup Metro district.
2. Umananda Island
- Umananda Island is the smallest inhabited river islet in the middle of river Brahmaputra, flowing
through the city of Guwahati in Assam.
- It was known as Peacock Island among the British Colonists who named it so based on its
shape.
- The Island is home to a very rare and endangered species called Golden Langurs
- The legend goes that it is the very same place where Lord Kamdev (Lord of Love) was burnt
into ashes by the third eye of Lord Shiva when the former tried to disrupt his meditation thereby
giving it its alternative name Bhasmchal.
- The island is famous for Umananda Devi Temple located at the island.
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Char/Chaporis of Assam
- The extremely braided channels of the river along with its unique gradient, suspended load and bed
load combine to form Char/Chaporis.
- ‘Almond’ shaped and of Alluvial formations
- Formed because of flood so height of char is never greater than the height of the highest flood.
- Chaporis are low-lying flood-prone riverbanks.
- Subjected to erosion on upstreams and deposition on downstreams so migrate downwards.
Climate
- The state of Assam lies in the region of monsoon climate of the subtropical belt.
- The Himalayan ranges standing on the north and east of the Brahmaputra valley protect the area from
the chilling cold winds of the given region in winter and obstructive and moist winds going from the
south west in summer.The cloud brought by the Southwest monsoon that passes over the southern
Hills including the Meghalaya plateau precipitate in the Brahmaputra valley.
- The depression at the eastern end of the Himalayas permits the north-east monsoon during post winter
months and has an influence on the precipitation of the valley.
- Under varying intensities of the weather elements and resultant weather conditions Assam normally
experiences four climatic seasons -
1. Pre monsoon/Summer:
- The pre monsoon begins in the early part of March and continues up to the end of May.
- In this season marked atmospheric instability develops and severe thunderstorms occur,
sometimes preceded by dust-raising squalls.
Ex. Bordoichila
- It favours the cultivation of tea, jute and ahu rice.
2. Monsoon:
- It sets in by the last week of May or in early June and it lasts up to September or the first
part of October.
- 70% of the total annual rainfall occurs during this period.
- This is the most important season during which sali rice, the principal crop of the state,
is cultivated.
3. Retreating Monsoon:
- The south-west monsoon withdraws sometimes in between the last part of September
and first part of October and continues up to the middle of November, when fog
commonly occur.
4. Dry Winter:
- The winter season begins in the middle of November and continues up to the end of
February.
- This season is characterised by low temperature, regular morning fogs and very little
rainfall.
- December and January are the driest months and generally, January is the coldest
month.
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Rainfall
Sl. Agro-Climatic zones No. of Net cropped Area sown more Cropping intensity
No. Districts area (ha) than once (%)
Valley zone
Biodiversity
- The recorded forest area (or GreenWash) of Assam is 26,832 sq km accounting for 34.21% of its
geographical area. According to their legal status, Reserved Forests constitute 66.58% and Unclassed
Forests 33.42% of the total forest area.(Ministry of Environment,Forest and Climate
Change,Government of India)
- The protected area network of Assam includes 7 National Parks and 18 wildlife sanctuaries covering
an area of 4938.53 km
Geograp Very Percenta Moderat Percenta Open Percenta Total Percenta Change Scrub
hical Dense ge of ely ge of Forest(O ge of OF ge of in forest
Area(GA Forest(V VDF Dense MDF F) area Forest cover
) DF) area Forest Cover to w.r.t.
(MDF) GA ISFR
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area 2019
78,438 3,017 3.85 9,991 12.74 15,304 19.51 28,312 36.09 -15 228
Source:India State of Forest Report,2021
- The districts with highest forest cover are Dima Hasao (4,206.93 sq km, 86.07% of total GA), Karbi
Anglong (7,889.18 sq km, 75.61% of total GA) and Cachar (2,222.34 sq km, 58.70% of total GA)
- The districts with lowest forest cover are Dhubri(98.46 sq km,4.52% of total GA), Barpeta(115.18 sq
km,5.05% of total GA) and Darrang(89.43 sq km,5.64% of total GA)
Flora
Forests types
As per the Champion & Seth Classification of Forest Types (1968), the forests of Assam belong to seven Forest
Type Groups:
- Tropical Wet Evergreen Forests
- Tropical Semi-Evergreen Forests
- Tropical Moist Deciduous Forests
- Littoral and Swamp Forests
- Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests
- Subtropical Broadleaved Hill Forests
- Subtropical Pine Forests
Evergreen:
- Occurs mainly in the eastern and southern areas covering parts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh,
Sibsagar,Jorhat, N.C. Hills, Cachar and Hailakandi districts.Small areas also occur in the Himalayan
foothills, especially in Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Sonitpur districts. Ex. Hollong(state tree of Assam),
Nahor, Gurjan, Mekai etc
Semi-Evergreen:
- Occurs along the bhabar tract in the dwars in Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Darrang and Sonitpur
districts. They are also found in Jorhat, Golaghat, Nagaon, Karbi Anglong, Barak Valley etc.Ex. Siris,
Kadam, Ou-tenga, Kolajam etc
Deciduous:
- Districts of Nagaon, Morigaon, Kamrup, parts of Nalbari and Barpeta, Darrang, Dhubri, Kokrajhar and
Goalpara. Dominance of Sal tree. Other trees include Gomari, Teeta Champa etc
Wetlands
- According to the ISFR,2019,total number of wetlands inside Recorded Forest(or Green Wash) Area is
2,622{both natural(1,038) and man-made(1584)} and total percentage of Wetland area inside
Recorded Forest (or Green Wash) Area is 2.46%.
- Deepor beel is the only Ramsar site from Assam.
Bardolino Dhemaji
Bamboo
- According to the ISFR,2019, total Bamboo bearing area inside RFA/Green Wash (in sq km) is 10,525
or 6.58% of the country's total Growing Stock of Bamboo.
- Around 23% of bamboo resources of North East are from Assam.
- Altogether 38 naturally growing species of bamboo are recorded in Assam.
- Out of all the species, Bambusa jaintiana and Melocanna arundiana are found only in Assam
- Pure bamboo occurs only in N.C. Hills and Karbi Anglong.
- There is a bamboo park in Chaygaon, Kamrup named Bamboo Technology Park.
Orchids
- In Assam as many as 293 species of Orchids are reported representing 44.39% of North East species
and 24.42% of species occurring in India.
- State flower is Kopou Phul (Foxtail Orchids).
Cane
- Around 14 species of cane grow in cane breaks in forests of Assam.
- Plectomia assamica and Plectomia bractealis are endemic species.
Aquatic species
More than 100 such aquatic species have been identified and they can be described into the following broad
categories.
1. Free floating hydrophytes: Eichhornia cressipes, Pistia stratioles, Lemna mino etc.
2. Suspended submersed hydrophytes: Ceratophyllum demersum, Utricularia gibba etc.
3. Anchored submerged hydrophytes: Hydrilla, Potomogeton, vallisnaria etc.
4. Anchored hydrophytes with floating leaves: Nelumbo, Euryle etc.
5. Anchored hydrophytes with floating shoots: Ludwigia, Ipomea etc.
6. Emergent amphibious hydrophytes: Sagittaria, Scrirpus.
7. Wetland hydrophytes: Cyperus, Hygrophylla etc
Fauna
Mammals
- Home to all the primate species of North East.
- Around 193 species widely distributed
- Rhinoceros unicornis(Greater one horned Rhino) is the state animal of Assam. Kaziranga National
Park, is home to two-thirds of the world's population of the species.Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has the
highest rhino density.
Primates
- Out of 15 primate species 10 are found in Assam.Assam has the highest diversity of non-human
primate species in the country.
- Hollock Gibbon only ape found in India and Assam is home to Western Hollock Gibon. While Eastern
Hollock Gibon is generally found in Eastern Arunachal Pradesh ,they were spotted in 2010 in three
reserve forests of Assam.
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- Assam is the only state with a wildlife sanctuary i.e. Hollock Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary dedicated to the
conservation of a primate species.
- Golden Langur is confined between Sankosh river in the West; Manas in the east; Brahmaputra in the
south and mountains of Bhutan in the north.
Aves
- Assam has 17 birds species that are endemic to the state and 77 that are globally threatened.
- There are 55 Bird and Biodiversity Areas in Assam
- White-winged Duck or White-winged Wood Duck (Asarcornis scutulata) is the state bird of Assam.
Amphibians
- Gangenophis fulleri and Ichthyphis garoensis are endemic to Assam
Reptiles
- Important reptiles include Khasi hills long- tailed lizard, gangetic gharial,Indian roofed turtle,Assam
olive brown skink,tokay gecko,Assam greyish-brown gecko.etc.
Fishes
- Beels of Brahmaputra and Barak rivers are conducive habitat of various fish species.
- Some important fishes from Assam are Pabho,Rou,Mirika,Magur, Ronga Kholihona,Darikona,Rani
Mach etc.
Butterflies
- Swallowtail butterflies occupy an important place and the entire North East has been recognised as
Swallowtail rich zone by the IUCN under its “Swallowtail Conservation Action Plan”
Biosphere Reserve
- Manas BR (1989)
- Dibru-Saikhowa BR (1991)
Project Tiger
- Manas National Park (1973)
- Nameri National Park (2001)
- Kaziranga National Park (2007)
Elephant Reserve
- Sonitpur Elephant Reserve(Kameng-Sonitpur Landscape)
- Dihing-Patkai Elephant Reserve(Eastern-South Bank Landscape)
- Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve(Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong-Intanki Landscape)
- Dhansiri-Lungding Elephant Reserve(Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong-Intanki Landscape)
- Chirang Ripu Elephant Reserve(North Bengal- Greater Manas Landscape)
Ramsar Site
- Deepar Beel
Tiger Reserves
- Manas National Park
- Nameri National Park
- Orang National Park
- Kaziranga National Park
IBAs Districts
31.Nameri Sonitpur
- On 8 June ,2021, it was declared as a National Park.After declaration of this park as the 7th
National park, now Assam becomes the second state having highest National Park) in the
country followed by 12 in Madhya Pradesh.
- The forests of Dehing Patkai are wet tropical evergreen.In fact,it is believed to be the last
remaining contiguous patch of lowland rainforest in Assam.
- Wildlife: Slow loris, Assamese macaque, stump-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaque, Rhesus
monkey, capped langur, hoolock gibbon, whitw-winged wood duck, slender-billed vulture,greater
adjutant stork, lesser adjutant stork, yellow- vented warbler, great hornbill, broad-billed warbler
etc.
- Rivers:Dehing river
- Nearest Airport: Dibrugarh Airport( Mohanbari)
- Nearest Highway:NH 315 and NH 215(new numbering)
Wildlife sanctuary
Additional information
Social Forestry
- The social forestry programme was launched in Assam in 1980-81.
- Objectives -
1. To meet the requirement of leaf-fodders, fuel wood and other forest products including
small timber of the local people
2. To help the effort of individuals producing fuel wood, fodder and other forest products
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3. To extend forest to all categories of land without affecting the ownership and also to
bring a sense of responsibility for protection maintenance and care of forest
4. To provide employment and economic upliftment of the present and future generations
particularly in the rural sector, and
5. To ensure maintenance of ecological balance.
Cachar(3,15,464) Baksa(12,242)
Karimganj Charaideo
Baksa Karimganj
Dhemaji Dhubri
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Sivasagar(84.49%) Dhubri(61.23%)
Chirang(969) Kamrup(949)
*- Data has been interpolated (as per the Revised Census Data) so it also includes the districts created
post 2011 . Therefore, if one checks the original Census 2011 which excluded the recently created
districts, he/she might find differences.
Other important datas(based on Sample Registration Survey(SRS) and National Family Health
Survey-5(NFHS-5))
Parameter Data
Natural Resources
Mineral Resources
Crude oil
- Assam is third largest crude oil producing state after(Rajasthan and Gujarat).
- The commercial discovery of oil was made in 1889 at Digboi.
- Digboi refinery commissioned on 11th December, 1901.
- Earlier it was owned and operated by Assam Oil Company Limited
- The management of the Digboi Oil field was taken by Oil India Limited in 1981.
- Digboi refinery has been termed as the ‘Gangotri of Indian Hydrocarbon Sector”.
- Other oilfields -
○ Naharkatiya Oilfield - discovered in 1953
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Natural Gas
- Assam is the highest Natural gas producing state in India.
- In Assam almost all the petroleum producing areas of the Upper Brahmaputra valley, especially
Naharkatia, Moran, Lakwa and Rudrasagar, contain ‘associated natural gas’.
- The important industries so far built up on the basis of the natural gas of Assam are - Namrup
Fertilizer Factory, Namrup Thermal Power Project, Assam Gas Company. Bongaigaon Refinery
also uses natural gas as raw material to produce various chemicals.
Coal
- Assam has a coal reserve of 525 mn tonnes out of which a paltry 17.90 mn tonnes have been
extracted so far.
- Assam ranks 12 in coal reserves.
- In NE states, Meghalaya is having largest reserves and is ranked at 11 overall.
- Sulphur content of Assam coal is higher than Jharia and Raniganj.However, the ash content is
much lower than Jharia and Raniganj.
- Coal in Assam was first recorded by British Surveyor Lieutenant Wilcox in year 1825.
- First coal mining was done by C. A. Bruce in 1828.
- The first coal mining in the region was started in 1865 at the Makum coal fields under the
initiative of H B Medicate.However, in sources it is also mentioned that coal mining started near
Ledo in 1882 .
- Coal fields of Assam -
○ Tinsukia district - Makum Coal field, Saraipong Tarajan Coal Deposits,
○ Dibrugarh/Sivsagar - Dilli-Jeypore Coal Field
○ Karbi Anglong - Sheelveta, Koilajan
○ N. C. Hills - Garampani, Khota Arda Coal Deposit, Dithor Coal Deposit,
- Since, the coal mines (Nationalisation) Act of 1973, the North Eastern Coal Field Limited
(NECFL) of Coal India Limited has been operating in the Makum and Dilli-Jeypore Coalfield
area with nine mining leases spread over an area of 62 sq. km. The mining lease areas are -
i. Baragolai
ii. Lekhapani
iii. Tirap Coal grant
iv. Namdang Coal grant
v. Dilli
vi. Jeypore
vii. Bimalapore
viii. Koilajan Mining lease and
ix. Sheelveta.
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Limestone
- Limestone deposits in Assam
○ Karbi Anglong - Dillai parbat, Sheelveta, Koilajan
○ N C Hills - New Umrangsho, Juipahar, Umrangsho.
○ Bokajan cement factory is based on the lime stone reserve of Koilajan
■ Assam has only one large Cement factory in Bokajan (Karbi-anglong)
■ The factory started production in 1977.
Clay
- Pottery clay (Kumaramatti) - occurs throughout Assam
- Fire clay - in Ledo and Namdang area, the fire clay occurs with the coal seams. The fire clay
deposits of Sheelveta and Koilajan were also investigated by DGM (Directorate of Geology and
Mining)
- China clay or Kaolin - Bering relatively pure clay, it is used in ceramic industry. Deopani,
Sheelveta and Silanijan (all in Karbi Anglong district) have good Kaolin deposit
- Lithomerge(white clay) - Silanijan in Karbi Anglong.
- Fuller’s earth - used by the washer man to clean clothes. Occurs at Subankhata (Kamrup). It
can bleach vegetable oil but is not suitable for petroleum refining.
- Drilling clay - it is of so fine consistency that when mised with water, it forms a kind of emulsion
and remains in suspension for a long time with very little treatment. It is found at Mathurapur of
Sivsagar district.
Sillimanite deposit
- The wonder rock that can be used without processing.
- Recent discovery in Karbi Anglong.
Feldspar
- Chiefly used in manufacture of glass, pottery, ceramic glaze, enamels, vitreous enamels etc.
- Occurs at Hahim (Kamrup) and Rangchali (Karbi Anglong).
- There is a promising occurrence of feldspar near Pancharatna of Goalpara district.
Gold
- Alluvial gold occurs in many rivers of Assam such as - Subansiri, Dikrang, Sissi, Dihing, Dibong
and Noa-Dihing.
- Besides these rivers, placer gold is also represented from all the other tributaries of the
Brahmaputra River in Upper Assam
Iron ore
- Occurs at - Chandardinga (Dhubri), Len Gupara (Goalpara), Kumri (Goalpara)
Quartz
- Hahim (Kamrup), Sheelveta and Rangchali (Karbi Anglong)
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Mica
- Mainly two types of mica occur in Assam -
○ Muscovite - Borduar Reserve Forest of Kamrup and Dholamura Hills of Goalpara district
○ Lithium (lepidolite) - Chakrashila Hills
Crop Sector
- About 63% of the State’s working force or 70% of the rural population are engaged in
agriculture and allied activities.
- The State has a gross cropped area of about 39.75 lakh hectares (2019-20)(Assam Economic
Survey 21-22) , more than 79% accounting for foodgrain crops.
- Net cropped area is about 26.99 lakh hectares(2019-20)(Assam Economic Survey 21-22)
- More than 85 percent farmers are either small or marginal with average land holding of just
about 0.36 hectares
- Cropping intensity is about 147%(2019-20)(Assam Economic Survey 21-22).
- Fallow land is about 2.16 lakh Hectares(2019-20)(Assam Economic Survey 21-22).
- Data from Agricultural census,2015-16
1. Average size of operational landholding (ha.)- 1.09
2. Number of operational land holding- 27 lakh
- Principal food crop of Assam is rice occupying the highest area.
- Cash crops - jute, tea, cotton, sugarcane etc.
- Agricultural inputs
1. Fertilizers:The consumption of fertilizer in the state is around 67
kg/Hectare(2020-21)(Assam Economic Survey 21-22).There is a large fertiliser plant in
Assam owned by Fertilizer Corporation of India in Namrup. It started production in the
late 1960’s by using the natural gas. The plant was expanded in 1987. There is a small
fertiliser plant Chandrapur Guwahati. It was started in 1962 by Assam State Fertilisers
and Chemicals Limited. Overall production of fertilisers is very much limited in Assam.
2. Pesticides: Chemical Pesticides is used more than Bio- Pesticides.
3. Seeds: ssam State Seed Certification Agency (ASSCA) is the Nodal Agency, which has
been entrusted with the responsibility of seed certification namely paddy, mustard and
seeds of pulses as per feasibility.Under ASSCA there are three notified Seed Testing
Laboratories located at Guwahati, Jorhat and Silchar.
4. Farm Mechanization: The factors like fragmented and small land holdings, farmers’ poor
economic conditions and nonavailability of situation specific prototypes of farm
implements stand as serious hindrance to mechanization of agriculture of the state.
5. Irrigation: The gross irrigated area is 2.9 lakh Hectare and net irrigated area 2.5 lakh
hectare(2020-21)(Assam Economic Survey 21-22).Karbi Anglong has the highest gross
irrigated area while Udalguri has the highest net irrigated area.The main crops
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Rice :
- Rice is cultivated in the state in three seasons - Boro rice during summer , Ahu during autumn
and Sali during winters.
- The total area under paddy cultivation during the year 2020-21 was 23.60 lakhs
hectares(highest amongst all the crops)(Assam Economic Survey 21-22).
- Around 19% area is the area under HYV variety of rice and around 12% under hybrid rice
variety(Assam Economic Survey 21-22).
- About different types of rice:
1. Ahu or Autumn rice (March / April – June / July)
- These are early maturing varieties (80-130 days)
- These can be seeded or transplanted
- Ahu rice can be further classified as Dumai, Murali and Chengri mainly
depending on duration
2. Boro or summer rice (Nov / Dec – May/June)
- Transplanted traditionally in the beel and marshy land situations with minimum or
no tillage
- It has the highest yield.
3. Other famous varieties of Rice -
- Boka Saul (mud rice) - GI tagged, Used during festival season
- Hill rice - traditionally grown in Jhuming areas
- Bao-Dhan - Iron rich ‘red rice’ is grown in Brahmaputra valley of Assam, without
the use of any chemical fertilizer.Export of ‘Bao-dhaan’ or Red rice from Assam
started in March 2021.In a major boost to India’s rice exports potential, the first
consignment of ‘red rice’ was flagged off to the USA by Agriculture Processed
Food Products Exports Development Authority(APEDA) .
- Mala, IR-36, Lachit, Masuri, Joya, Ranjit, Ratna, China, Biplob, Krishna are
different varieties of HYV seeds for rices
Wheat:
- It is grown as a Rabi crop (November - March). Leading districts are Kamrup, Nalbari, Barpeta,
Dhubri but are not relegated to these districts.
Maize:
- Maize is cultivated in the state by the farmers for their own consumption and not commercially.
Leading districts are Karbi Anglong and Dima- Hasao.
- It has the highest productivity index of around 500%.
Pulses :
- Pulses are the second most staple food in Assam after rice. These are Rabi crops (grown
during winter season). However,some of the pulses can also be grown during the Kharif season
Oilseeds :
- A variety of oilseeds is produced in the state like mustard, sesamum, castor, groundnut
,soybean,etc.Leading districts - Karbi Anglong, Marigaon, Barpeta.
Cash crops
Jute
- The required condition for jute cultivation (high rainfall and high temperature) are filled by
Brahmaputra and Barak valley.
- The state produces about the highest i.e. 81% of total jute cultivation in NE India and second in
rank among the states of India after WB.
Cotton
- Second most important producer of cotton in North East. Mainly two hill districts of
Karbi-Anglong and North Cachar Hills have favourable climate and physiography for cotton
cultivation
Sugarcane
- It is widely produced in the districts of Golaghat, Jorhat, Sibsagar, Nagaon, Kamrup, Nalbari
and Barpeta.
- Based on raw materials, a sugar mill in Baruabamun gaon in Golaghat district and another
near Kampur in Nagaon district were established.
Rubber
- Rubber plantation started in Assam for the first time in 1960s / 1970s.
- The area under rubber cultivation has grown from 16 thousand hectares in 2006-07 to 59
thousand hectares in 2020-21(Assam Economic Survey 21-22).
- Assam is the second largest rubber grower after Tripura in the region.
- Karimganj district has emerged as one of the largest rubber growing district in Assam.
Coffee
- Coffee cultivation in NE Region started at Cachar District of Assam in 1853. Commercial
cultivation started 1970s at on started 1970s at Garo Hills (Meghalaya ) to wean away local
community from Jhum cultivation practices.
- Assam is the second important state in NE India for coffee production after Nagaland. Most of
the coffee gardens in Assam are located in Karbi-Anglong and Dima Hasao districts.
- Gunjang is the largest coffee garden in Assam.
- Regional Coffee Research Station (RCRS), Diphu in Karbi Anglong district of Assam was
established to support coffee plantations in 1980
- Assam grows arabica coffee and coffee plantation is intercropped with Pineapple, Pepper,
Jackfruit, Vegetables
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Tea
- Tea is the main cash crop of the state.
- The state produces the largest amount of tea in the country.
- About 17% of the workers of Assam are engaged in tea industry.
- Tea in Assam was discovered by Rober Bruce in 1823.
- The drink was locally known as Fanap.
- 1834 - The then Governor General formed a committee to examine the possibility of commercial
cultivation of tea.
- 1839 - A company known as the Assam Company was formed to take over the experimental
holdings of the EIC administration over the tea gardens established in Assam till then. Nazira
was the HQ of this company until it was shifted to Calcutta in 1965.
- 1839 - A private British Entrepreneur started a tea garden near Chabua (Dibrugarh)
- 1840 - A group of British planters formed Assam Company at Nazira for commercial plantation
of tea in a large scale.
- 1859 - Jorhat Tea Company was formed
- Assam produces the largest quantity of tea among all the Indian states. Assam alone produces
more that 50% of India’s tea production and about 1/6th of the tea produced in the world.
- 1911 - Toklai tea research centre was started (Jorhat)
- 1970 - Tea Auction centre was established in Guwahati. This is the world’s largest CTC tea
auction centre and the world’s second largest in terms of total tea
- The government has secured a Geographical indication for the tea produced in the state. As a
result “Assam Tea” is known as “Assam Orthodox Tea”.
- As per Tea Board of India,2021, in there are 121675 nos. registered Small Tea Growers and
number of big grower tea estates (i.e. with holding above 10.12 hectares) in the state is 765
- Area under tea cultivation is 3.47 lakh hectare and 1781kg/hectare is the average yield for the
year 2020 according to the Tea Board of India.
Tobacco
- It is done in very small quantities by the farmers for domestic use only.
- Phulaguri area of south Nagaon is popular for its flavour of tobacco
Horticultural Crops
- Horticulture crops occupy about 15%(about 8 lakh hectares) of gross cultivated area of the
State with an annual productio n of more than 67 lakh metric tonnes.(Assam Economic Survey
2021-22)
- Different types of horticultural crops cultivated in Assam are:
1. Fruit Crops - Banana, Pineapple, Orange, Papaya, Assam Lemon, Gauva, Litchi
,Jackfruit, Mango
2. Tuber Crops - Potato, Sweet Potato, Tapeoca
3. Spices Crops - Chillies, Turmeric, Onion, Ginger, Garlic, Coriander,Black Pepper
4. Vegetable Crops - Kharif Vegetables, Rabi Vegetables
5. Plantations - Coconut , Cashew nut
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1. Banana: Assam’s banana varieties are partially domesticated or still in their wild
form.Goalpara and Kamrup are the leading producer districts. The area of Chhayagaon
in south bank of Kamrup district upto Area of Goalpara is popular for a variety of Banana
called Malbhog.Important varieties are - Jahaji, Bar Jahaji, Malbhog, Chenichampa, Kani
Bansi, Sapkal, etc. Darrangiri is Asia's largest Banana market
2. Potato: The state of Assam has the maximum area and production under potato crop
within the North East.Majorly grown at Barpeta, Darrang, Kamrup, Sonitpur, Nagaon,
Dhubri, Nalbari
3. Sweet Potato: Grown majorly at Dhubri and Kamrup.
4. Orange: Tinsukia is the largest producer in the state.
5. Assam Lemon: It’s unique for the high percentage of Vitamin C besides Vitamin B and
Niacin and high peel oil that can be used in cosmetics industry.
Livestock sector
- 20th Livestock census,2019 related important facts:
1. Total livestock is about 1.8 crore
2. Assam has the 8th highest population of cattle in India.
3. Assam has the 7th highest poultry population.
4. Assam , with 2.1 million pig population, has the largest pig population in India.
- According to the Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Assam, around 1000 million
litres of milk was produced in 2020-21.
Fishery sector
- Fishery sector has been identified as one of the Ratnas among the selected Navaratnas under
the Chief Minister’s Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY).
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- Fish Production in the state has reached a level of 3.93 Lakh MT during 2020-21 against the
corresponding nutritional requirement of around 4.00 Lakh MT.(Assam Economic Survey
2021-22)
- The per capita consumption has been enhanced to 12 kg for the year 2020-21 from 11 kg in
2019-20.(Assam Economic Survey 2021-22)
- Total number of registered beels for fishery: 1904
- Jagiroad is world’s largest dry fish market.
Industries
- The industry sector comprises of :
1. Mining & Quarrying
2. Manufacturing
3. Electricity,Gas, Water Supply & Other Utility Services
4. Construction
- In terms of Net Value Added with a share of 1.12 percent at All-India level the State is in the
19th position out of 34 states & union territories whereon ASI was conducted and reported in
the ASI 2018-19. However, it is at the 16th position in respect of number of workers engaged in
the sector.
Manufacturing
- Clothing and Textiles
1. Silk(Sericulture): Assam produces all the four varietes of silk - Golden Muga Silk, Eri
Silk, Mulberry(Pat) Silk, Oak tassar Silk. However, the state accounts for highest
production of non-mulberrry silk like muga and eri. More than 97% of Golden Muga Silk
and about 65% of Eri silk is produced in Assam.The largest seed producing centre is at
Goreshwar in Kamrup district. Second one is at Jamugurihat in Sonitpur district.
Silk variety Silkworm feed on
2. Mostly the bell metal industries are located in Sarthebari town of Barpeta district and
Hajo region of Kamrup( Rural) district of Assam.
3. The people in the town are experts and make high quality utensils and other items, such
as sarais, ban batis, glasses, plates etc. this is part of the cultural tradition of Assam,
which has passed from one generation to the other.
- Paper Industry :
1. The first paper mill of the state was set up at Jogighopa in 1971 by the Ashok Paper
Mills limited.
2. Most successful paper mill in Assam was set up by Hindustan Paper Corporation at
Jagiroad in Marigaon district in 1985.
3. Hindustan Paper corporation set up another plant at Badarpur in Karimganj district.
- Covid-19 pandemic
- Blanket ban of firecrackers during Diwali
- Confusion with the concept of Green crackers
- Supply of raw materials
- Financial constraints
- Poor branding
- The project has executed one of the biggest bulk orders by supplying beautifully
crafted bordered “Yoga Mat” on the occasion of International Yoga Day on 21st June,
2019, where the SHG weavers had delivered the consignments only in 20 days time.
Mask making
- Majuli in Assam has carved a special place for itself especially for its craft of mask-making.
- Masks are used in Bhaonas.
- Mask making was introduced by Sri Sankardeva when he first used it in Chihna Yatra.
- These masks are made from indigenous material of the island and not Plaster of Paris, and
without the use of synthetic colour.
- Special attention is paid to intricate details and technicality.
- The traditional art of making masks is passed down from father to son or from the guru or
teacher at the Satra to the students.
- Among all the satras, Samuguri Satra is the most prominent one for Mask Making.
- Three different types of masks are made -
- The Mukha bhaona covers the face,
- Lotokoi, which is bigger in size, extends to the chest and
- Cho Mukha is a head and body mask.
- The technique
- Making a three-dimensional bamboo framework onto which clay-dipped pieces of cloth
are plastered.
- After drying it, a mix of clay and cow dung is layered on it.
- Jute fibres and water hyacinth are used for beard, moustaches and hair.
- Once the mask is complete, a kordhoni (bamboo file) is used to burnish the mask.
- And finally, drama is added to the masks with deft painting.
Others
Pottery
- Centres are found in Sonitpur, Darrang, Nagaon, Tinsukia, Cachar and Kamrup districts.
- The state of affairs of the pottery industry in the State is not very encouraging.
- Local pottery has mostly been replaced by the superior clay or porcelain goods , metal utensils,
plastic goods imported into the State from outside.
- The profits of the industry are also small and most of the traditional potters have left the trade
and shifted to other lucrative occupations.
Wood Carving
- Wood carving is found extensively in Sonitpur district.
- The artisans produce various types of wooden Rhino, Elephants , decorated pieces of wall
hanging etc.
- Around 100 artisans now depend on wood carving activities.
Jewellery Craft
- Assam has more than 48000 unregistered Jewellery units
- More than 2.5 lakh artisans directly involved in this sector.
- The traditional Assamese Jewellery are found in Barpeta ( 40 units), Jorhat ( 40 units) and
Ranthali (450 units) in Nagaon district.
- The main problem of this sector is shortage of Raw materials.
Construction:
- A lot of construction is being done in Agriculture sector(like storage units), Manufacturing(like
industries,godows),Service sector( like schools, hospitals).etc. Also, Government are also
giving major push to the sector through schemes and policies.
Service Sector
- Service sector comprises of
1. Trade, Repair, Hotel & Restaurants
2. Transport,Storage, Communication & Services related to Broadcasting
3. Financial Services,
4. Real Estate, Ownership of Dwelling and Professional services
5. Public Administration and Other Services
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1. 31 Boxirhat Jalukbari
4. 36 Nagaon Lahorijan
5. 37 Jogighopa Saikhowaghat
8. 38 Makum Lekhapani
9. 39 Numoligarh Dimapur
Dirok Rupai
11. 315 Starts from Makum connecting Ledo and Lekhapani and
terminates at India-Myanmar border
13. 515 Starts from Dhemaji and connects Jonai(Assam) with Arunachal
Pradesh
16. 17 Starts from Sivok in West Bengal and after passing through
Bilasipari-North Salmara,Goalpara and Boko it terminates at
Guwahati.
19. 217 Starts from Paikan .Then after passing through Meghalaya it
ends at Dudhnai
27. 627 From Nelle to Harangajao.It starts from and terminates with
NH-27.
Railways
- Assam comes under Northeast Frontier Railway(NFR) zone.The headquarters of NFR zone is
Maligaon,Guwahati.
- The divisions of NFR are Rangia(Assam),Lumding(Assam),Tinsukia(Assam),Alipurduar(West
Bengal) and Katihar(Bihar).
- The railway route length in Assam at the end of 2020-21 is 2520.1 Km( Out of which Broad
gauge is 2519.8 km).(Statistical Handbook Assam 2021)
- Till the end of March 2016, Assam shares only 3.7% of the total railway route length of the
country.
Air Transport
Airports in Assam
- Chabua Air Force Station - Dibrugarh
- Dibrugarh Airport - Mohanbari
- Jorhat Airport - Rowriah
- Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport - Borjhar ,Guwahati(Primary International
Airport of the North-East, Most busiest airport of Assam as well as the North East)
- North Lakhimpur Airport - Lilabari (also serves the state of Arunachal Pradesh)
- Rupsi India Airport - Dhubri
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- Important river stations/commercial centers along the river banks NW-2 are Dhubri,
Jogighopa,Pandu/Guwahati, Tepur, Neemati, Dibrugarh, Sadiya and Saikhowa.
Pandu/Guwahati is the most important river station on NW-2. The stretch downstream from
Pandu up to Bangladesh Border (260Kms) is the stretch where IWT operations are presently
most active.
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Tourism
- Post COVID and its related lockdown, this sector along with the hospitality sector witnessed a
steep decline both in terms of customers served and revenue.
- Still at pre covid times,tourism was one of the fastest-growing contributors, accounting for 5.5
per cent of GSDP and approximately 10.5 per cent of total employment in the state.
- Under the Centrally Sponsored scheme Swadesh Darshan “Manas – Pobitora – Nameri –
Kaziranga– Dibru Saikhowa as Wildlife Circuit in Assam” and “Development of Tezpur – Majuli
–Sivasagar as Heritage Circuit in Assam”
- Development of Kamakhya under the PRASAD Scheme.