Kamjong, Noney, and Pherzawl secured the top three ranks in SDG 16 performance, even as Manipur continues to grapple with ethnic violence and deep social divisions.
BY PC Bureau
In a significant development highlighting localized progress, several hill districts of Manipur, primarily inhabited by Kuki-Zo and Naga tribes, have achieved top rankings in the NER District SDG Index 2023–24. This index specifically assesses performance on parameters related to peace, justice, and the strength of local institutions, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the state’s persistent ethnic violence.
The report, which evaluated 121 districts across the eight northeastern states, including all 16 districts of Manipur, showcases remarkable strides made by these tribal regions. Kamjong (97) and Noney (96), both predominantly Naga-inhabited districts, secured the top two positions. Close behind was Pherzawl (93), a Kuki-Zo majority district, claiming the third spot.
Further reinforcing this trend, other high-performing districts include Kangpokpi (90), Tengnoupal (86), and Churachandpur (84) – all with significant Kuki-Zo populations. Ukhrul (84) and Tamenglong (83), both strongholds of Naga tribes, also featured prominently. All eight of these districts are categorized as “Front Runners,” achieving scores between 65 and 99. Their strong showing is attributed to their relative progress in fortifying local institutions, enhancing judicial infrastructure, and expanding digital and legal access. This progress is particularly notable given the backdrop of the violent ethnic conflict that erupted in May 2023, which has tragically claimed over 260 lives and displaced more than 50,000 people in the state.
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The NER District SDG Index 2023–24 utilized key indicators to determine district performance. These included crime data from the NCRB’s 2022 report, judicial staffing levels as of March 31, 2024, coverage of Common Service Centres (CSCs), birth and death registration rates, and Aadhaar enrollment data accessed in July 2024.
(Machi Village, Tengnoupal, Manipur)
While Manipur continues to grapple with severe ethnic unrest, the robust performance of its tribal-dominated hill districts underscores their inherent potential for resilient governance and institutional stability. These regions, often marginalized in broader political discussions, are quietly demonstrating significant advancements in digital governance, civil registration, legal identity coverage, and the efficiency of local justice delivery systems.
In the broader context of the northeastern states, Mizoram, Tripura, and Nagaland emerged as the top overall performers on the comprehensive SDG index. Manipur scored 74.29, tying with Assam, while Meghalaya lagged slightly at 73.
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The NER SDG index, last released in August 2021, sets benchmarks for performance against both global SDG targets and the top-performing districts within the region. Its focus encompasses eight core areas, including violence reduction, child protection, judicial capacity, and access to justice.
The North Eastern Region (NER) District SDG Index, a collaborative initiative by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) and NITI Aayog, with technical support from UNDP, is a groundbreaking tool for tracking progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the NER. This index is crucial for India’s overall development.
Understanding the NER District SDG Index
This index measures how well NER districts are performing on the SDGs. It uses the same methodology as the NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index, which is the primary tool for monitoring SDG progress at the national and state/union territory levels. The NER District SDG Index aims to improve our understanding of sectoral challenges and data gaps, ultimately helping to shape future development strategies for the region. The first edition of the report was released on August 26, 2021.
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Key Enhancements in the Second Edition
The second edition of the index brings notable improvements:
- Expanded Coverage: This edition now includes 121 out of 131 districts (92%) in the North Eastern Region, a significant increase from the 103 out of 120 districts (86%) covered in the first edition.
- Richer Data: The second edition utilizes 84 indicators. Data for 41 of these indicators comes from various Union Government ministries and departments, while 43 indicators draw from State sources. The report also highlights a substantial improvement in district-level reporting to the Union Government.
Promising Results from the Second Edition
The findings from the second edition are largely positive:
- Improved Overall Performance: A remarkable 85% of NER districts are now in the “Front Runner” category (scoring between 65 and 99), a significant jump from 62% in the previous edition.
- District-wise Scores: Individual district scores for the 121 districts range from 58.71 in Longding (Arunachal Pradesh) to a high of 81.43 in Hnahthial (Mizoram), indicating a broad spectrum of performance across the region.
