Siaha (official name given by the Mara Autonomous District Council, popularly known as Saiha) is a census town in Siaha district in the Indian north-eastern state of Mizoram. It is the Headquarters of the Mara Autonomous District Council, one of the three autonomous district councils within Mizoram. It is located in the South Central part of the state. The word 'Siaha' in the local Mara language comes from 'Sia' for Masia which means elephant and 'ha' meaning tooth - An elephant tooth. It was a place where a large amount of elephant teeth were found. Though the local people name the town as Siaha, Mizos called it by the name 'Saiha', which is purely a translated term in Mizo language.
Siaha District is one of the eight districts of Mizoram state in India. The district is bounded on the north and northwest by Lunglei district, on the west by Lawngtlai District and on the south and east by Myanmar. The district occupies an area of 1399.9 km². Siaha town is the administrative headquarters of the Mara Autonomous District Council. The population had decreased from 60,823 (in 2001 census) to 56,574 (in 2011 census). It is the least populous district of Mizoram (out of 8).
Siaha is a commercial hub for Mara people.
Geography
Siaha is located at 22.48°N 92.97°E. The average elevation is 729 metres (2391 feet).
Demographics
As of 2001 India census, Siaha had a population of 19,731. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Siaha has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 77%. In Siaha, 16% of the population is under 6 years of age. Siaha is the fastest growing town in Mizoram, 2008 statistical handbook of Mizoram reveals that the town has a population of 29,275 in 2008 against 19,731 in 2001.
According to the 2011 census Siaha district has a population of 56,574, roughly equal to the island of Greenland. This gives it a ranking of 628th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 40 inhabitants per square kilometre (100/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was -7.34%; the only district in Mizoram to have decreased population. Saiha has a sex ratio of 979 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 90.01%.
The majority of the district inhabitants are Mara people, who also have an autonomous district council called Mara Autonomous District Council composed of the two R.D. Blocks of Saiha and Tuipang; the Lai people, on the other hand, are the main inhabitants of Sangau R.B block, which is part of the Lai Autonomous District Council.
Education
There is one college - Saiha College Siaha, under Mizoram University and a number of public and private schools.
Transport
A Helicopter service by Pawan Hans has been started which connects the Aizawl with Siaha. The Distance between Siaha and Aizawl through NH 54 is 378 km and is connected with regular service of Bus and Jeeps.
Media
The Major Newspapers in Saiha are:
Buannel
Chhim Aw
Kawl Eng
Maraland
Moonlight
Mara Thlala
Siaha Post
Saikhawpui
Siaha Times
Awsicharu [awsicharu.wordpress.com]
Deiva Mara Daily Deiva Mara Daily
Flora and fauna
In 1997 Siaha district became home to Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park, which has an area of 50 km2 (19.3 sq mi).
Divisions
The district has 3 R.D. Blocks, Siaha also known as Siaha, Sangau and Tuipang also known as Tipa V. The 3 assembly constituencies in this district are Siaha, Sangau and Tuipang.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siaha
