CHANDEL DISTRICT PROFILE

In 1974, the Chandel district was established as "Tengnoupal district" in Manipur. In 1983, the district was renamed Chandel since the district headquarters was situated in Chandel. In December 2016, the current Tengnoupal district was carved out from Chandel district.

In 2006, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj identified Chandel as one of the 250 most underdeveloped districts in the nation (from a total of 640). It was one of the three areas in Manipur that obtained financing from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF). In 2018, the Chandel district became part of the 112 Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP). Initiated in January 2018 by the Indian Government and executed by NITI Aayog, the ADP seeks to boost progress in India's least developed districts by concentrating on essential areas like health, nutrition, education, agriculture, water management, financial inclusion, skills training, and fundamental infrastructure.

The 2011 Census recorded Chandel district's population at 144,182, with 74,579 males and 69,603 females, leading to a sex ratio of 933 females for every 1,000 males. The average literacy rate in the district was 71.11%, while the population growth rate over the decade was 21.85%. The district had 76,238 workers, including 53,753 main workers and 22,485 marginal workers.

Following the split of Tengnoupal district in 2016, the remaining Chandel district had a population of 85,072, which is wholly rural. The female-to-male ratio recorded was 921 females for every 1,000 males. Scheduled Castes made up 0.09% of the population, while Scheduled Tribes accounted for 92.56%. According to the 2011 Census, there were 267 inhabited villages distributed among three blocks: Chandel (98), Chakpikarong (112), and Khengjoy (57).

The Chandel district has a climate that ranges from sub-tropical to temperate. It is affected by the South-West Tropical Monsoon, exhibiting a variable rainfall pattern between 1,138 mm and 1,548 mm, primarily during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods. Heavy rainfall often leads to floods and landslides. Nonetheless, the agro-climatic conditions are suitable for cultivating rice, vegetables, and cereal crops, as per the Directorate of Environment & Climate Change, Government of Manipur.

Farming serves as the foundation of the regional economy. Farming practices can be categorized into two primary types: shifting cultivation, referred to as jhum cultivation, commonly done on hill slopes, and wet rice cultivation, found in certain flat regions. Rice is the main crop, together with pulses and various cereals. As per the Economic Survey of Manipur (2017-18), the overall cultivated area in the district covers 21.76 hectares. The type of settlements, natural ecosystem, and topography significantly impact the local economy and its economic system.

The State of Forest Report (2017) states that the forested region in Chandel district spans 2,907 sq. km, representing approximately 87.75% of the entire geographical area of the district. The Chandel district is part of the Tengnoupal Forest Division. Forests serve three key functions in sustaining ecosystem equilibrium — they act as a defender, a provider, and hold aesthetic value.