Since the day it became a state, Nagaland has struggled with avariety of issues, including insurgency, unemployment, underdevelopmentand corruption; nonetheless, the issue of illegal immigrationhas consistently been one of its most pressing concerns.Since the 1970s or even before, illegal immigration has been taking2 ENCHANTING NAGA HILLS: A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME COPYplace in Nagaland, particularly in regions bordering Assam. Howeverthe rate of illegal immigration has increased signi8cantly since the19D0s. Although there is a fair amount of documentation regardingimmigration in Assam and Tripura, not much work has been doneregarding the topic in Nagaland. jespite the many challenges thatillegal immigration brings to the state, there is a paucity of research onthe sub3ect. The population of Nagaland increased by %9.DD6 duringthe 1950s, 40.046 during the 1970s, 45.0D6 during the 19D0s, and(0.0D6 during the 1991-2001 period )according to the 2001 CensusK.However, the 2011 Census in Nagaland recorded a negativegrowth rate in total population by )-K0.(76, which is an unusualpattern in population growth. Nevertheless, the decadal populationincrease in the districts of jimapur and xohima was respectively2%.1% and 22.D0 percent, which was signi8cantly higher than the nationalaverage of 17.5( percent in 2011. The abnormally high rate ofpopulation eBpansion can not only be attributed to natural growthbut it can also be thought to be the result of immigration. Wothof these eBplanations are possible. Although the rate of populationgrowth has not been consistent throughout the state, the districtsof jimapur and qokha that border Assam have reported an abnormallyhigh rate of population eBpansion. The qokha district sawthe most percentage increase in population between the years 1991and 2001, with 94.01 percent, making it the fastest growing districtin the country.