Khonoma is a small little village which showcases the delightful views of Nagaland`s natural beauty and ecological diversity. En route look out for the memorial stones erected to commemorate Feasts of Merit and the intricate system of bamboo pipes, which carry water for long distances. The unique variety of soil conditions and elevations of its fields have resulted in about 20 different types of rice bring grown here.
Khonoma village is situated twenty kilometres to the west of
Kohima. The village supports a predominantly agrarian population of about 3000 people. Extensive rice terraces have been carved out of the hill slopes surrounds the village. Over twenty varieties of paddy are grown at different elevations on these terraces. The forested slopes of the village, spreading over 152 square kilometres are relatively undisturbed, baring a few patches of jhum-cleared cultivations which is also known as shifting cultivation.
Situated in the Kohima district, the village Khonoma enjoys a sub-tropical climate with heavy rains from the month of May to August and little rainfall during September to October. The dry season is usually from the month of November till April. The environmental temperature in the village during the summer months goes up to a maximum of 31ºC and a minimum of 16ºC. In the winter season, the minimum temperature is 4ºC and the maximum temperature is 24ºC.
Etymologically speaking, the village of Khonoma derived its name from a plant called Goulthera fragrabtisima, better known as Khwuno, which is grown in the region. Sub tropical climate of Khonoma is favourable, thereby attracting tourists from far off places. During the summer season temperature varies between 16 C to 31 C. Winters are chilly when temperature drops down to as low as 4 C. In Khonoma average rainfall has shown a counting of 2000mm to 2500mm. Heavy rainfall occur during the months of May and April.
The village is also known as Khwunoria by the residents and is estimated to be about four hundred years old. The village is surrounded by hills which are over 9000 feet. It runs along a ridge, which is characteristic of Angami villages, and its domain extends from the terraced rice fields in the valley immediately beneath the ridge to deep into the uplands of the Barail Range of hills, all the way southwards till the border with the Senapati district of
Manipur. This domain is estimated at covering a spread of around one twenty three square kilometers.
Khonoma is famous for its past heritage of fighting and warfare. It is the place where the brave Naga soldiers made an attempt to resist the British rulers in the year 1879. One can also find a simple white tower. It was constructed in the memory of martyrs like G.H. Damant, Maj. C.R. Cock, Lt. H.H. Forbes and Sub. Maj. Nurbir Sai. The Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary (KNCTS) established in the year 1998 by the people of village Khonoma with ecological consciousness. Its aim is to protect the Blyth`s Tragopan, a rare pheasant of
Nagaland. Apart from it, a multitude of wild creatures are preserved in their peaceful haven. This sanctuary is privately possessed and handled by the Village Community of Khonoma. The sanctuary is also an ideal abode of many other endangered and rare species of animals and plants. If any one wants to sample adventure and like to behold the bewitching beauty of nature, a visit to Khonoma would be ideal.
