North Vanlaiphai town is in the eastern Part of Mizoram at a coordinate of latitude 23.1296° N and longitude 93.0551° E. The town has a population of about 3600 individuals belonging to over 766 houses.

Status and management of natural resources

Forest reserves nearby North Vanlaiphai town are under the authority of Young Mizo Association namely Hrangtur tlang based on Chimonocalamus griffithianus (Phar) and Schizostachyum capitatum (Rawngal conservation. The reserves are not based on water source conservation. Domestic water sources are collected from small stream from Hrangtur tlang and Varva river at downside. There is one reservoir at the town which is again distributed at public distribution point and not at household.

The water sources are also depended by other villages such as Mualcheng, Bawktlang and Khawlailung, therefore, there is acute scarcity of water especially during dry season. Only certain portion of the population can afford rainwater collection system mainly due to the cost of water storage tank.

Water sources in agriculture are mainly from canal system and pipeline (gravity)

Climate change perception

Ever since the establishment of the town, which was a village then in 1968, there used to be frost every winter which start to disappear since the past recent

years. Temperature has significantly increased, and rainfall becomes erratic as perceived by the respondents.

Agriculture and Horticulture issues

Ginger cultivation has almost completely failed during recent years. Jhum system has become minimal due to regular failure. Wet rice cultivation is still doing well but it is practised by only 150 household. Orange cultivation is also starting to fail. Effect of climate change on health is not much perceived. Fertilizer use are organic on orange plantation.