Since the day it became a state, Nagaland has struggled with a

variety of issues, including insurgency, unemployment, underdevelopment,

and corruption; nonetheless, the issue of illegal immigration

has consistently been one of its most pressing concerns.

Since the 1970s or even before, illegal immigration has been taking

2 ENCHANTING NAGA HILLS: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME COPY

place in Nagaland, particularly in regions bordering Assam. However,

the rate of illegal immigration has increased signi8cantly since the

19D0s. Although there is a fair amount of documentation regarding

immigration in Assam and Tripura, not much work has been done

regarding the topic in Nagaland. jespite the many challenges that

illegal immigration brings to the state, there is a paucity of research on

the sub3ect. The population of Nagaland increased by %9.DD6 during

the 1950s, 40.046 during the 1970s, 45.0D6 during the 19D0s, and

(0.0D6 during the 1991-2001 period )according to the 2001 CensusK.

However, the 2011 Census in Nagaland recorded a negative

growth rate in total population by )-K0.(76, which is an unusual

pattern in population growth. Nevertheless, the decadal population

increase in the districts of jimapur and xohima was respectively

2%.1% and 22.D0 percent, which was signi8cantly higher than the national

average of 17.5( percent in 2011. The abnormally high rate of

population eBpansion can not only be attributed to natural growth,

but it can also be thought to be the result of immigration. Woth

of these eBplanations are possible. Although the rate of population

growth has not been consistent throughout the state, the districts

of jimapur and qokha that border Assam have reported an abnormally

high rate of population eBpansion. The qokha district saw

the most percentage increase in population between the years 1991

and 2001, with 94.01 percent, making it the fastest growing district

in the country.