Falam Township

Falam Township is located in Chin State. The township is bordered by Kale in the east, Hakha in the south, Thantlang in the west, Tedim in the north, and the Indian State of Mizoram.  Falam is located 5280 feet above sea level.  Transportation remains difficult in the rainy season, though the government is constructing roads and improving infrastructure.

The total land area of Falam Township is 988.9 square miles.  The township is organized by eight wards, 85 village tracts, and 184 villages.  The General Administrative Department manages all matters within the township up to the village tract/village level.  The Township Management Committee is generally authorized to handle all matters of township.

The total population in Falam Township is 53,170.


Education

One agricultural institute, 14 high schools and sub-high schools, 24 middle schools and sub-middle schools, three primary schools, and 5 pre-schools are run by the Ministry of Education in Falam Township.  In addition, there is one monastic school and one boarding school run by religious leaders.

Children who return to Chin State from countries outside Myanmar will be required to take placement test to determine your level of knowledge.  You should inform the Township Education Department of your return and your desire to take the test.  The test will likely be provided in May, so you should inform the Education Department of your return and your desire to take the test no later than the end of April.  The State or District Education Department can provide more information on the placement tests and on the locations where you can take them. The Education Department has stated that it welcomes returned students/children to continue your studies.

Education is provided in Burmese language.  Depending on your Burmese language ability, you may face some challenges in following the school instruction and may need some private teaching to assist in developing language skills.


Health

Falam Township hosts one general hospital and 45 health centers and rural health sub- centers.  All are run by the Ministry of Sport and Health.  However, facilities are limited in terms of staffing and equipment and are unable to provide specialized services, particularly to those with chronic illnesses, mental health concerns, and disabilities.

Those with severe health concerns that cannot be treated in Falam would likely require transfer to Kalay, Mandalay, or Yangon.

The Hawirawnlo Disabled Organization is comprised of a group of volunteers that provides care to those with disabilities.


Livelihoods

Falam, like all of Chin State, remains underdeveloped.  Agriculture provides a livelihood for most of the population and 17761 acres of land are utilized for farming.  However, there are additional opportunities in shop keeping, motorbike maintenance, small scale-livestock raising, and casual labour.

Most of the farmers are using new farming methods that they have learned from organizations providing livelihoods support and trainings in Falam, including Choklei Organization for Rural and Agricultural Development, Chin Institute of Social Science, World Vision, GRET, and Ar Yone Oo Social Development Association.  Contacts and additional information on these organizations can be found on the helpful services page.

Most of the livelihood programs target young people in order to strengthen their opportunities in Chin State.


Land

A land management committee is present in the township and is led by the General Administrative Department (GAD).  However, there are only a small number of land plots – agricultural and household – officially registered in Chin State due to the limited presence of government staff. A rather complicated customary land tenure system is common in all areas of Chin State.   Customary upland plots for shifting cultivation are communally managed.

There are some unresolved problematic land issues in Falam, particularly in which the State Government has transferred land ownership without a consultation with the local communities.  Lack of land documentation confirming ownership of or a claim to the land will present a challenge to restitution.