About Chandel

Chandel is located in the Chandel district in Manipur. It is located in the southeastern part of Manipur. Chandel is the district headquarters of the district of Chandel. Initially, the district was known as the Tengnoupal district. On 13 May 1974, the district came into existence. The district was renamed as Chandel district in the year 1983. The district of Chandel is located about 64 kms from Imphal. The total area covered by the district is 3313 sq kms. The district has a hilly terrain.

Demography of Chandel

According to 2011 census, the total population of Chandel is 144,182 out of which 74,579 are males and 69,603 are females. The average literacy of Chandel is 71.11. The official language here is Meiteilon (Manipuri). The people here also speak some other language that includes Aimol, a Sino-Tibetan language and Anal, which is also a Sino-Tibetan language. The district is inhabited by people of different communities. About 20 different tribes are scattered all over the district. The prominent tribes are Anal, Lamkang, Kuki, Moyon, Monsang, Chothe, Thadu, Paite, Maring and Zou. There are other communities like Meiteis, Muslims and non-Manipuris like Nepalese, Bengalis, and Bihari also residing in the district.

Economy of Chandel

Agriculture is the only occupation of the people of this district. In 2005 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Chandel as one of the country’s 250 most backward districts. This district is one of three districts of state of Manipur currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme.

Tourism in Chandel

Chandel is also a popular tourist destination in Manipur. There are a number of naturally beautiful places and towns here. This district is noted for the beautiful towns and the natural beauty in the Indo-Myanmar border. There are beautiful towns like Moreh and Tengnoupal and sanctuaries like the Yangoupokpi-Lakchao Wildlife Sanctuary located here.

Tourist Places in Chandel

Chande is blessed with few beautiful tourist locations. Some of the major tourist places in and around Chandel include:

Yangoupokpi-Lakchao Wildlife Sanctuary
The Yangoupokpi-Lakchao Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the Indo-Myanmar border in the district of Chandel. It was declared a wildlife sanctuary on 21st March 1989. The sanctuary spreads across an area of 185 sq kms and is a protected area in Manipur.

The sanctuary has tropical moist deciduous forests and the eco system is a mix of riverine and terrestrial eco system. The sanctuary has humidity of 35% in the dry season and the average temperature of 40° C in summers and 4° C in winters.

Flora
Among the flora species, dipterocarpus turbinatus, dipterocarpus tuberculatus, tectona grandis, melanorrhoea usitata, terminalia chebula, emblica officinalis, cedrella toona, cedrella serrata, bauhinia spp., quercus spp., bamboo and melaconna species are found in the sanctuary.

Fauna
The sanctuary is a home to around 6 species of amphibians, 29 species of reptiles, 42 species of mammals, 74 species of birds and 86 species of fish. Some of the animals which are found in the sanctuary are Hollock Gibbon, Himalayan black bear, stumped tailed macaque, slow loris, wild bear, pig tailed macaque, Indian civet cat, golden cat and so on. There are also reptiles like tortoise, viper, krait, cobra, python, land monitor lizard found in the sanctuary. There are also migratory birds that fly in this sanctuary every year.

Moreh
It is a small border town located in the Indo-Myanmar border. The Ton is mainly inhabited by the Kukis and some other ethnic communities like the Meiteis, Nagas, Sikhs, Nepalis and Bengalis. It is also a major commercial hub.

Tengnoupal
Tengnoupal is a hilly town located in Chandel district. The National highway 102 passes through this town. This town is the highest point above sea level on the Imphal-Moreh Highway. It is stretched over an area of 3375 sq kms and is situated at an elevation that ranges from 2500 ft to 10,000 ft. it is located around 69 kms from Imphal.

The town of Tengnoupal is a historical place. It was once the kingdom of the Pakhangha rulers. It was brought under the control of the Chinese in 1942 and was bombarded by the Japanese during World War II. There are two rivers namely Barak and Manipur which flows from north to south in this town. One can have a good view of the entire surroundings from this place.

Services in Chandel

Chandel is a major town in located in the Chandel district in Manipur. Being an important town Chandel provides all the required services to its people like banking, postal and electricity services. Chandel also offers emergency services like hospitals and Police to the people of the region.

Banks

State Bank of India
Branch: BSF KANGSANG
IFSC Code: SBIN0009990
Branch Code: 009990   
Address: Dist, Chandel, Manipur-795135
Phone no: 03848-265579

State Bank of India
Branch: Chakpikarong
IFSC Code: SBIN0005834
Branch Code: 005834   
Address: Dist Chandel, Manipur 795102
Phone no: 03878-242003

State Bank of India
Branch: Chandel
IFSC Code: SBIN0004938
Branch Code: 004938   
Address: Dist- Chandel, Manipur-795127
Phone no: 03872-232256

United Bank of India
Branch: Moreh
IFSC Code: UTBI0MRHG37
Branch Code: MRHG37   
Address: Moreh Bazar, Chandel,
Manipur - 795131
State: MANIPUR
Phone no: 03227-289244

State Bank of India
IFSC Code: SBIN0016905
Branch: Moreh
Branch Code: 016905   
Address: Moreh Town, Chandel,
Manipur-795131
Phone no: 9774216941

Axis Bank
Branch: Kakching
IFSC Code: UTIB0002208
Branch Code: 002208   
Address: Ayangpung, Kakching Bazar,
Near Chandel Parking/Aoc,
Manipur: 795135
Phone no:  03848-261031/261036/261088

UCO Bank
Branch: Chandel Bazar
IFSC Code: UCBA0002998
Branch Code: 002998   
Address: P.O.Chandeldist.Chandel, Manipur
Phone no: 9774413835

Post Office

Chandel Post Office
Post Office Type: Sub Office
Address: Post Office Chandel
Chandel, Manipur-795127

Hospitals

Chandel District Hospital
Address: Chandel, Manipur 795127

Jivan Hospital
Address: Kakching, Manipur 795103

How to Reach Chandel

By Road
The National Highway 39 passes through the district. This district is well connected to other places by road.

By Air
The town of Chandel has no airport. The nearest airport is the Imphal International Airport.

By Rail
Chandel also has no railway. The nearest rail link is the Jiribam Railway station located 111 kms away.

Chandel Facts and Figures

• Latitude: 24^o19'N
• Longitude: 93^o59'E
• Population (2011): 144,182
• Official Language: Meiteilon (Manipuri)
• Time Zone: IST (UTC+5:30)