State: Tripura | HQ: Kailashahar | Area: 686.97 km² (smallest district of Tripura)
Established: 21 Jan 2012 (from North Tripura) | Judicial District Functional: 20 Sept 2014

Heritage & Name

• Unakoti = “one less than a crore” (Bengali), linked to countless rock carvings.
• Famous 7th–9th century Shaivite sculptures, incl. 30-ft Unokotiswara Kal Bhairava.
• Added to UNESCO Tentative List (2022).
• Major pilgrimage site: Ashokastami Mela (April).

Geography & Administration

• Borders: N – Bangladesh | E/NE/SE – North Tripura | S – Dhalai.
• Sub-divisions: 2 (Kailashahar, Kumarghat).
• Blocks: 4 | Tehsils: 12 | Revenue Circles: 3.
• Villages/Panchayats: 91 | MCs: 2 | Police Stations: 6.

Demographics (2011 Census)

• Population: 276,506 (est. ~298,574).
• Sex Ratio: M – 1,40,210 | F – 1,36,296.
• Literacy: 86.91% (M: 90.92%, F: 82.79%).
• Languages: Bengali (69%), Kokborok (8.6%), Chakma (8%), Bishnupriya Manipuri (4%).

Climate

• Type: Monsoon (hot humid summers, cool winters).
• Temp: 10 °C – 35 °C.
• Rainfall: ~2,200–2,500 mm (Jun–Sep peak).
• Seasons: Winter (Dec–Feb), Summer (Mar–May), Monsoon (Jun–Sep), Post-monsoon (Oct–Nov).

Transport & Connectivity

• Road: NH 8 links Assam ↔ South Tripura.
• Rail: Lumding–Sabroom line; hub = Kumarghat Station.
• Air: Nearest airport Agartala (~178 km).
• Nearby: 8 km from Kailashahar HQ, 148 km from Silchar.

Agriculture & Economy

• Agro-Climate: Sandy/clay loam soils, fertile; rain-fed with some irrigation.
• Major Crops:
  • Food grains: Rice (kharif & boro), maize, pulses.
  • Cash crops: Tea (old estates), rubber, betel nut, ginger, turmeric, chili.
  • Horticulture: GI-tagged Queen Pineapple, banana, jackfruit, litchi, orange, vegetables.
• Cropping Calendar:
  • Kharif (Jun–Sep): Paddy, maize, turmeric.
  • Rabi (Oct–Feb): Boro paddy, mustard, pulses, vegetables.
  • Zaid (Mar–May): Cucurbits, watermelon.
• Farming Practices: Settled & jhum cultivation; rising organic pineapple/ginger/turmeric.
• Livestock/Fisheries: Poultry, piggery (tribals), dairy, carp & catfish in ponds/wetlands.

Culture & Festivals

• Ashokastami Mela (Apr): Major pilgrimage at Unakoti Hill.
• Biju Festival (Chakma, Apr): Floral rituals, songs, dances, feasts, sports.
• Eco-tourism focus: Roads (PMGSY), health, education, border security development.