About
Peren district is located at the south-west corner of Nagaland, situated in the north-eastern corner of India, sharing its border with the states of Assam and Manipur. The estimated forest cover in the district based on the 2023 data is about 91 per cent of the district's total geographical area, with the greatest extent of both reserved and unreserved forest among all districts of the state. Peren district has been named after the Peren town, which is the district headquarters and is located at about 1445 m above mean sea level. According to government figures, Peren town is around 75 to 95 km from Dimapur, where the district's nearest airport and railhead are based. It is around 100 to 139 km from the state capital Kohima with daily bus and taxi services connecting the district with these places. The district has an area of 1651 sq km and is the fourth biggest in Nagaland. It is also, on the contrary, the least populated district of Nagaland with an average of only 58 persons/sq km. The dominant communities of Peren include Zeliang (which is a subgroup of the main Zeliangrong family) and Kuki, Peren. Among the chief attractions of this district for travelers are Mt. Paona, the third highest peak of Nagaland, the Ntangki National Park, enjoyable tribal festivals and the natural mixture of tropical climatic conditions in the lower regions and temperate climatic conditions in the high mountain ranges.
History & Culture
Early Settlement and Colonial Contact
Oral tradition says the Zeliang migrated from Nkuilwangdi, a place connected with the present Senapati district of Manipur, and gradually colonized the Barail ranges of the south of what became Nagaland. When the British established a strong foothold in Kohima and the surrounding villages in 1879, the colonists began to turn their attention to the hill peoples in the Barail range. Since communication was a perennial concern for the colonial administration, link roads were built from small sections of the Naga Hills towards Kohima to establish political authority.
Birth of the District
The administrative history of Peren is comparatively recent. In 1958, when this area was called the Zeliang-Kuki Areas, a Political Assistant's office was set up and a Peren Circle Officer arrived here in 1963. An Assistant Commissioner came here in 1965, and in 1966, the headquarters was upgraded as a Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) office and shifted to Jalukie. It was shifted back to Peren in 1973, when Peren was upgraded as full sub-division of Kohima district. Peren's formation as a district took a further step forward on 24 October 2003 when six circles were carved out of Kohima district to create Peren district and it became a full revenue district on 24 January 2004, per the district portal. Hega is one of the biggest celebrations of the Zeliang community. It is held every year from 10 to 15 February, most prominently at Peren village. Langsimnyi is observed towards the end of October and is the last harvest festival for the Zeliang. A tourist village has been set up at Benreu as the Langsimnyi festival is being observed; a reflection of the mixing of culture and tourism here.
Statehood and Change
The Naga Hills experienced thirty years of political struggle before Nagaland became a full state of India in December 1963. Peren, which then was a part of Kohima district, was in the southernmost extremity of this upheaval and gradually began to see schools, roads, and government offices in the villages. Missionary schools and churches spread in the twentieth century and brought modern education and a new religion, the impact of which remains in the fabric of the social life of most of the villages today.
Communities and Traditions
The Zeliangrong group consists of three sub-tribes: Zeme, Liangmai, and Rongmei. Along with the Kuki, they contribute to Peren's diverse cultural character.
Economy
Government Sector
Govt is the single largest provider of salaried jobs. Jobs are given in district offices of the Deputy Commissioner, the police, education, and health departments, the rural development blocks at Peren, Jalukie, and Tening, the line departments of the state, and also teachers and clerks constitute a great part of a learned workforce. Schemes from the government are in charge of most building activity in villages and are for roads, water, housing and farm support.
Public Sector
Public activities involve the construction and administration of infrastructure and welfare services. State and central government agencies maintain and finance roads linking the district to Dimapur and Kohima, rural electrification, health sub centres and community health centres, and public distribution outlets. Peren Government College and the district schools are part of this sector. Local contractors and local workers find work in public works projects, which provide regular income in a district with no manufacturing plants.
Services Sector
A range of service-based trades, shops, restaurants, transport, and taxi services, guest houses, sewing units, repair workshops and bank branches have come up in these two towns to cater to the needs of the growing number of their residents. A distinguishing feature of Peren, as per the district portal, is its local character that impacts everything from commerce in the towns and villages. While some tourism and travel enterprises such as trekking guides, festival stalls and homestays are starting to have a place among the service sector.
Tourism
Pauna Tourist Village, Benreu
Benreu village is located at the foot of Mt. Paona; there is a tourist village here that was started in a Langsimnyi festival. There is a trekking point, a glimpse of Zeliang village life, and some local cuisine.
Puilwa Caves
People who enjoy a little adventure and local folklore go to the caves near Puilwa village. Local people have great respect for the caves and a local guide makes a significant difference to any visit.
Peren Village and Town
At the other end of the road is Peren village or Old Peren, which becomes the place to be in February when the Hega festival celebrates song, dance, and feasting. Peren town promises cool weather, panoramic views of the Barail hills and close proximity to the district's trekking trails.
Jalukie and Tening
The district centre is the commercial town of Jalukie and the centre of most of the culture related to Mlei Ngyi. Tening circle, with its terraced fields and welcoming villages, is ideal for those seeking a relaxed day on the green.
Best Time to Visit
October and April are the months of clear skies and cool days and during this time the main festival dates such as Hega (February) fall. The rain falls heavily during the monsoon months and the trail gets very slippery.
Demographics
Population
The 2011 Census recorded a population of 95,219 in Peren district, made up of 49,714 males and 45,505 females. Scheduled Tribes make up the large majority of residents. The district reported a literacy rate of approximately 77.9 percent in the 2011 Census. Literacy rates vary between villages. Census data indicates that some villages close to the headquarters have very high literacy rates, whereas several remote settlements in Tening circle have much lower rates.
Languages Spoken
The main language is Zeliang, spoken by approximately 57 per cent of the people (2011). Kuki dialects, Nagamese a connecting language of all dialects of Nagaland and English, the official language of the state, is also spoken and used by most of the people. English language is used for administration and education.
Religion
The main religion Christianity was the religion of about 90 per cent of the population in the 2011 Census.
Administration
District Set-up
The Deputy Commissioner administers the Peren district. Law and order is looked after by the district police functioning under a Superintendent of Police. There are two statutory town areas in the district, viz. Peren and Jalukie and three Rural Development Blocks viz. Jalukie, Tening, and Peren.
Tehsils (Administrative Circles)
Nagaland has circles instead of tehsils. Peren has seven circles, with each circle headed by an Additional Deputy Commissioner, a Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) or an Extra Assistant Commissioner. Peren (Peren Sadar), the district headquarters, has a 2011 circle population of approximately 8,700. The largest circle is Jalukie, with a population of around 28,400.
| Official Name | Peren |
| Location | Nagaland |
| Area | 1651 sq. km |
| Population | 95,219 |
| Language | Zelianga |
| Religion | Christian,Hindu |
FAQs
1. What is the population of Peren district?
Peren district had a population of 95,219 in the 2011 Census, with 49,714 males and 45,505 females.
2. What is Peren district famous for?
Peren is famous for its dense forests, which earned it the title "Green District of Nagaland".
3. Where is the headquarters of Peren district?
The headquarters is Peren town, at about 1,445 metres above sea level.
4. When did Peren become a district?
A notification of 24 October 2003 carved the district out of Kohima district.
5. Which tribes live in Peren district?
The Zeliang people, made up of the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei, form the main community.
Last Updated on October 27, 2026
