Ngopa

Ngopa is a town in the Champhai district of Mizoram, India. It is located in the Ngopa R.D. Block, and it serves as headquarters for that block. It is also an important administrative centre containing important government offices. Ngopa is 125 kilometres (78 mi) from the district's main city, Champhai, and 180 kilometres (112 mi) from the state's capital city, Aizawl.

Ngopa
village
Country	India
State	Mizoram
District	Champhai
Elevation	1,678 m (5,505 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	4,155
Languages
• Official	Mizo
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	796290
Telephone code	03831
Vehicle registration	MZ-04 Aerial view of central Ngopa

Nearby Towns and Villages

The names and distances of nearby villages of Ngopa are: Lamzawl (13 km), North East Khawdungsei (18 km), Chiahpui (23 km), Khawkawn (30km), Teikhang (30 km), Kawlbem (23 km), Mimbung (35 km), Pawlrang (29 km), Hliappui (36.8 km), and Rabung (25.1 km or 16 mi). The nearest towns are Khawzawl (80 km) and Champhai (125 km).

People

The population of Ngopa is made up different ethnic groups, but mainly of Mizo; they call themselves 'Ngopians.' They speak their own language, called Mizo, and the families are set up by patriarch. There are few government servants or businessmen. The livelihood of the majority depends upon agriculture.

According to the 2011 census, 945 families resided in Ngopa. The population was 4,155, of which 2,168 were males, and 1,987 were females. There were 607 children under the age of six, which makes up 14.61% of the total population of the village. Average Gender Ratio of Ngopa is 917, which is lower than the Mizoram state average of 976. Child Gender Ratio for Ngopa was 927, lower than the Mizoram average of 970.

Transport

Air

Helipad, Ngopa

Ngopa is connected by air transport through the helicopter seevice of Pawan Hans. The service began in 2013, connecting Ngopa with Aizawl. Every Thursday, a helicopter comes from Thuampui Helipad in Aizawl and brings passengers to and from Ngopa. The fare from Ngopa to Aizawl (so also Aizawl to Ngopa) costs Rs. 1800/- for each passenger.

Road

Ngopa Sumo

Ngopa is connected to Aizawl, the state capital by North Eastern Council Road. This road connects Mizoram with Manipur, and it is one of the most important roads that link Mizoram and Manipur. At present, nine maxi cabs (sumo) provide service between Ngopa and Aizawl. The sumo fare for each passenger is Rs.350. An Aizawl Maxi cab ticket can be booked from Metro, Chanmari, Ramhlun Road. There are also some medium-sized vehicles which service regularly to carry goods and passengers to and from Ngopa. Furthermore, many maxi cabs which service between Churuchandpur (Manipur), neighbouring villages of Ngopa, regularly run through Ngopa.

In the Town

Privately owned auto-rickshaws are widely available. Cars, bicycles, and scooters are also useful modes of transportation.

Educational Institutions

Elementary

Middle School I Ngopa

There are four primary schools which are run by the government, namely- Govt. Primary School I, Govt. Primary School II, Govt. Primary School III and Govt. Primary School IV. Two English medium comprehensive schools (Primary and Middle) are owned by the Churches; Presbyterian and Roman Catholic respectively. These English medium schools are- Presbyterian School, Comfort Intensive School and St. Joseph's School. There are two government middle schools, namely- Middle School I (located in the northern side) and Middle School II (located in the southern side).

Secondary and Higher Secondary

There are two High Schools; one of them is Govt. Ngopa High School and the other one K. Lalthlamuana Memorial High School is run by Grand in Aid system. Ngopa Higher & Secondary School is established by the local community and it was run from their contributions for a long time. However, fortunately the government took the responsibility and therefore it has been running by Grand in Aid system. It offers only Arts stream. Ngopa Higher Secondary School is IGNOU Study Centre and many students have had enrolled and got their graduation degree and master degree too from this institution.

Government Offices

There are many government offices in Ngopa, including the Sub Divisional Office (Civil) and Block Development office. Hrianghmun, Teikhang, Kawlbem, Lamzawl, Vaikhawtlang, Selam, Pawlrang, Changzawl, Hliappui, Hliappui and Saichal are the villages within Ngopa Block.

Also in Ngopa are the Sub-Divisional Office (PWD), Sub-Divisional Office (PHE), Sub-Divisional Office (P&E), Sub-Post Office, Police Station, and Block Resource Center. There is also a Community Health Center (CHC) with 30 beds. In addition to the said departments, State Bank of India (SBI), Mizoram Rural Bank (MRB), Agriculture, SSA (BRC), Assam Riffle, BSNL, School Education, Environment & Forest, Food & Civil Supply, Horticulture, Industries, Minor Irrigation, Postal, Power & Electricity, Public Health Engineering, Public Works, SIB, Social Welfare (ICDS), Soil & Water Conservation, Tourism and Veterinary & Animal Husbandry departments are found in Ngopa. Ngopa's Pin Code is 796290. Other villages in Post Office 796290 are Kawlbem, Khawkawn, Mimbung, Ngopa, N.E. Khawdungsei and others.

Religion

Presbyterian Church, Ngopa

Almost all the people who are living in Ngopa are Christians. The Presbyterian Church of India has four local churches in Ngopa, namely- Ngopa, Ngopa Chhimveng, Ngopa North and Ngopa Venglai. The Salvation Army also has two corps- Ngopa and Ngopa Chhimveng. United Pentecostal Church (NEI) has also two local churches, namely Ngopa and Ngopa Chhimveng. Beisdes, Roman Catholic Church, Seventh-Day Adventist Church and Christ Redemption Church have also been there.

Ngopa is the headquarters of Ngopa Pastorate (Presbyterian); and the Local Churches within Ngopa Pastorate are- Ngopa, Lamzawl, Ngopa Chhimveng, Ngopa North and Ngopa Venglai. Presently Rev. Vanlalhuma is the pastor in charge of Ngopa Pastorate. The Salvation Army also had Commanding Post in Ngopa which is looking after by the Commanding Officer. Moreover, United Pentecostal Church and Christ Redemption churches also use Ngopa as their pastorate headquarters.

Water, Electricity and Other Essential Supply System

Water

Ngopa has a very good water supply system which other towns and villages may envy. This water supply system runs with the help of gravitational force. More than half of the families have private water connection and public water points are also made at the streets. Few families are also still depending upon natural water points.

Electricity

Ngopa receives electric power supply through 11 kV transmission line from Khawzawl Power Station and it is distributed again from Ngopa Power Substation to Ngopa town and the neighbouring villages. Normally, Ngopians receives regular supply of electric power.

Other Essential Supplies

There is one Petroleum Oil Filling Station which is run by private firm, and one LPG Agent is also there. The petrol station and the LPG agent feed Ngopa and her neighbouring villages. There are two shops which sell electronic goods like washing machine, television, etc. There are about four hardware stores, two wholesale shops and many small variety shops which serve the people's need.

Recreational Places and Community Halls

Recreational Places

There are several recreational places in Ngopa. Three football fields, three tennis courts, three volleyball courts, two indoor stadiums for badminton, a basketball court, a table tennis hall are found in Ngopa. In the northern skirt of the town Mini-Sports Complex is there. Football ground, tennis court and two volleyball courts are there. Ngopa is known in the length and breath of Mizoram for her talented tennis players.

Community Halls

Three community halls in Ngopa are looked after by YMA and two conference rooms/halls are owned by the government departments. YMA Community Halls are- Jubilee Hall, Ngopa Chhimveng Hall and Zawlbuk. Of these, Jubilee Hall has the highest seat capacity while Zawlbuk is the newest and the most furnished one. Moreover, there are also SSA Block Resource Centre Hall and NREGS Conference Hall.

Places of interest

Watch Tower

Watch Tower, the Ngopa's 80th Year Monument is constructed at a hill top. It is a kind of symbol of Ngopa for the people of Ngopa and many people have had visited this Watch Tower. A shiny steel cross (the symbol of Christianity) is placed on top of the tower. In memory of those who had already answered the heavenly call, many granite plates with touching words are embedded in the wall of the tower which are sponsored by their dear ones.

FK Tea's Estate

FK Tea Estate

FK. Tea Estate is another place of interest which the tourists always love to visit. It is located in the northern side of the town. It is about 3 km from Ngopa and the good metal road runs across it. It is one of the largest tea gardens in Mizoram. Besides, tea factory is also there. In this tea factory, green tea leaves are processed and made it for ready made use. From this very tea factory Mizo Tea is produced, distributed and sold to different parts of the state. This tea garden and factory is owned and run privately by Mr. F. Kapsanga and his family.

Tuani Lung

Tuani Lung.

Tuani lung is an ancestral place which has connection with one Mizo's famous love story Tuani leh Chhawrtuineihlala. It is located at the northern side from Ngopa and it is about 10 km from the town. In memory of the two lovers, Tuani and Chhawrtuineihlala; two stones were erected. YMA, Ngopa Branch preserves and looks after this ancestral site; the students and the tourists always visit this site.

Lengteng

Lengteng, the second highest point in Mizoram is not so far from Ngopa. However, the peak is not approachable by vehicle. To reach the peak from Ngopa by foot, one would spend at least half a day. It is located in the southern side of the famous 'Sialkal' range which is also known as Himalaya of Mizoram. Lengteng and its surrounding area is covered by thick forest and the area is proclaimed as reserved sanctuary for animals.

Important Rivers

Tuivai

Tuivai river which originates from Manipur state is the biggest river which runs nearby and it runs towards the south. Tuivai is very important for the stability and the growth of the economy of Ngopa. Every year huge amount of sand (aggregate) is collected from Tuivai river for building purposes. Good quantity of fish which having special taste is also always caught from this river. So also, the freshwater snail of Tuivai is having the best taste among the freshwater snails found in Mizoram rivers. Since 1980s, a proposal to build dam at Tuivai river to produce hydro electricity power is there. The proposal dwindled and is revived again for many a times and is going on till date. However, most of the teenagers at the first proposal time are becoming grandfathers and grandmothers. Though they do not completely lose their hope for the implementation of the construction of hydro-electricity power plant, the hope that still lingers is becoming so faint.

Tuiphal

Tuiphal is the second biggest river which runs in the south towards the west. Tuiphal river provides mineral resources like sand (aggregate) and stones for the Ngopians. Tuiphal has small cultivable plain which provides paddy field and it also supplies fresh fish to Ngopians.

Tuila

Tuila river runs at the eastern side towards the north. Although it is not a big river, small plains at the river sides are one of the rice bowls of Ngopa. Not only this, the fish of Tuila has special taste; to describe this special taste words would fail a person.

Tuithil

Tuithil is a small river which runs towards the south. Even though it is the smallest river among the mentioned important rivers, it has the largest plain area and that plain area is the rice bowl of Ngopa.