BAMBOO: The Socio-Economic Backbone of Mizoram Mizoram is a mountainous region, which became the 23rd State of the Indian Union in February 1987.It was one of the districts of Assam till 1972 when it became a Union Territory. Sandwiched between Myanmar in the east and south and Bangladesh in the west, Mizoram occupies an area of great strategic importance in the north-eastern corner of India. It has a total of 722 Km. boundary with Myanmar and Bangladesh.

AGRICULTURE: Agriculture is the mainstay of the people of Mizoram. More than 70% of the total population is engaged in Agriculture. The age old practice of Jhum cultivation is carried out annually by a large number of people living in rural areas. The climatic condition in the state with well distributed rainfall of 1900mm to 3000mm spread over eight to ten months in the year and location in tropic and temperate zone with various soil types have contributed to the occurrence of a wide spectrum of rich and varied flora and fauna. These natural features and resources also offer opportunities for growing a variety of horticultural crops.

FOOD PROCESSING: The agro-climatic conditions of Mizoram is conducive to agricultural and horticultural crops. As such, a strong and effective food processing sector should play a significant supportive role. The total production of fruits, vegetables and spices will be increasing year by year as the number of farmers are weaning away from jhum cultivation and are taking up diversification towards cash-crops.

MINES & MINERALS: The present main mineral exploration in Mizoram is only hard rock of tertiary formation, which are mainly utilized as building materials and road construction work. However, several reports (both from Geological Survey of India and State Geology & Mining Wing of Industries Department) revealed that the availability of minor mineral in difference places.

HANDLOOM & HANDICRAFT: There are potentials in developing bamboo crafts and readymade garments made out of specially designed local handloom clothes which can be exported marketing outside India. By providing necessary inputs, credit, design and marketing facilities, the potential of the handloom and handicraft industry can be creatively tapped.

TOURISM: With its abundant scenic beauty and a soothing climate, Mizoram has a scope of developing tourist related industries. Specific tourist projects can be developed to put Mizoram on the tourist map of India.

ENERGY SECTOR: Despite having a rich potential in hydro, Mizoram is not having its own power generation worth mentioning. At present, there are 22 (twenty two) isolated Diesel Power stations scattered at various places and 9(nine) Mini/Micro Hydel stations in operation. The above total installed capacity of diesel Power Station is 26.14MW and Mini/Micro Hydel Station is 8.25MW. As per 16th Electric Power Survey of India under CEA, Government of India, the restricted peak load demand of the State during the year 2002-2003 is 102 MW. Against this, an effective capacity of about 16MW from Diesel Power Stations and 6MW from Hydel Stations is available from local generation at present.

MEDICINAL: The socio-economic life of the rural people depends on their embient vegetarian from where they derive all their material requirements – timber, food, fuel wood, medicinal plants etc. About 95% of the interior population depends on herbal medicine and nearly 98% of raw materials are harvested from the wild plant resources without replenishing the growing stocks. The village herbal preparation includes uprooting of the plants which is detrimental to the individuals or sub-populations. And as a result, commonly used and effective herbal plants became rare and endangered species, and some plants are on the verge of extinction unless conservation measures are taken up for revival.