Noklak district is the 12th district of the Indian state of Nagaland. It was established on January 20, 2021. Noklak town is the headquarters of the district.

History Noklak district was created on 21 December 2017 as the 12th district of Nagaland. The new district has the same boundaries as the former Noklak sub-division of Tuensang district. Noklak sub-division contained the five admin circles of Noklak, Thonoknyu, Nokhu, Panso and Chingmei.

Demands for upgrading the ADC office in Noklak town had been made by the Eastern Nagaland Peoples' Organisation (ENPO) in 2008.

In 2026, archaeologists reported evidence of prehistoric human habitation in caves and rock shelters in the Chiphur area of Noklak district, Nagaland, dating back approximately 3,500 years. The discovery was made during the first systematic archaeological exploration of the limestone cave systems of the Naga Hills Ophiolite Belt by a joint research team from Nagaland University and the Department of Art & Culture, Government of Nagaland. The expedition identified several caves and rock shelters, including the Leilo Kaa rock shelter and the Kathso Kaa cave site. Excavations revealed archaeological remains such as cord-marked pottery, ground stone tools, hearth features, carbonised plant remains, and animal remains. Radiocarbon dating using Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS) indicated that the Leilo Kaa rock shelter was occupied around 3,500 years ago, while the Kathso Kaa cave showed evidence of later occupation dating to approximately 1,000 years ago.

Geography Noklak district covers an area of 1,152 km2. Noklak district is a hilly region, with broad leaved forests. It is bordered by Mon district to the north, Tuensang and Shamator districts to the west, Kiphire district to the south and the Naga SAZ of Sagaing Region of Myanmar to the east. The climate is sub-tropical with a monsoon season.

Administration The district covers five taluks (administrative circles), which are Noklak, Thonoknyu, Nokhu, Panso and Chingmei. While a subdivision of Tuensang, an Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) office was located in Noklak circle, a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) was located in Thonoknyu circle, and Extra Assistant Commissioner EAC headquarters were located in Nokhu, Panso and Chingmei circles.

There are also police stations in Noklak and Panso Headquarters and a police outpost at Thonoknyu.

Noklak district contains three rural development blocks (RD blocks), which are Noklak, covering Noklak, Nokhu, and Chingmei taluks, Panso RDB covering Panso taluk and Thonoknyu RDB covering Thonoknyu taluk.

The district has two seats in the state legislature.

Dr. Pritpal Kaur, IPS assumed charge as the first Superintendent of Police of Noklak District which is Nagaland's youngest district and the last district that borders Myanmar.

Demographics According to the 2011 census of India, the present population of Noklak district is 59,300. Nokhu, Noklak, Panso, Chingmei and Thonoknyu subdivisions are parts of the present Noklak district. Noklak district has a sex ratio of 922 females per 1000 males. Scheduled Tribes make up 57,868 (97.59%) of the population.

Christianity is the religion of 99.07% of the inhabitants. Other religions followed are Hinduism by 0.4% of the population, Islam by 0.3%, Buddhism by 0.2%, and a few Sikhs.

At the time of the 2011 census, 90.59% of the population spoke Khiamniungan, 6.18% Chang and 1.69% Tikhir as their first language.

Towns and villages , the 2011 census the erstwhile sub-division held 39 villages, spread over four administrative circles as follows: Circle Population Areakm2 Villages Source Noklak 19,507 164.92 Noklak HQ (7,674), Noklak Village (4,205), New Pangsha (2,575), Nokyan (1,542), Old Pangsha (1,121), Wansoi (924), Pang (674), Dan (636), Kusong (467), Nokyan B (363). Thonoknyu 18,600 491.36 Sanglao (3,881), Peshu (3,447), Chipur (2,973), Thonoknyu Hq (1,485), Pang (1,174), Kenjong (1,035), Thonoknyu Vill. (923), Chilliso (839), Thoktsur (757), Wui (756), New Sanglao (331), Thongsonyu (296), Thongtsou (239), Jejeiking (238), Peshu Nokya (226). Nokhu 6,291 218.94 Choklangan (2,027), Nokhu (1,875), Langnok (1,307), Aniashu (568), Nokhu Hq. (306), Kingpao (148), Kenking (60). Panso 11,036 148.33 Pathso Nokeng (2,880), Pathso (2,117), Lengnyu (1,255), Yokao (1,083), Panso Hq (1,063), Kingniu (1,026), Tsuwao (901), Ekhao (390), Tsangkoi (213), Lumoking (108). Chingmei 3,866 128.79 Chingmei (1,685), Chendang Saddle (801), Waoshu (512), Yimpang (387), Taknyu (309), Chingmei Hq. (172) Total 59,300 1,152

Transportation Air The nearest airport is Jorhat Airport in Assam located 250 kilometres from district headquarters Noklak. There is a helipad in Noklak as well.

Rail The nearest railway stations are Amguri railway station and Jorhat Town railway station located 206 kilometres and 243 kilometres from Noklak respectively.

Road The district is connected with roads. The Noklak Road passes through the district alongside other intra-district roads. The NH 202 and NH 702B are the nearest highways to the district. Both the highways pass through Tuensang.

See also Patsho Noklak Tuensang Nagaland

References

External links Official site