Brief Historical Background of the Department :
Soil & Water Conservation activities with specific objective were introduced in the erstwhile Mizo District of Assam State as a ‘Pilot Project’ under Forest Jhum Control Division of Assam Forest Department. Trial-cum-Demonstration Centres were established at Durtlang and Beraw in 1954-1955. Main objectives are proper land use through Soil & Water Conservation measures like afforestation of barren and steep slopes, terracing on milder slopes for cash crop plantation and wet rice cultivation in valley bottom lands.

Mizo District Soil Conservation Division, Hqrs at Aizawl was established in 1.4.1959. This was subsequently bifurcated into Lunglei Soil Conservation Division with headquarters at Lunglei on 20.8.1970.

When Mizoram attained U.T status on 21.1.1972, Soil Conservation Department functioned under Director of Mizoram Forest Department and since 2.12.1977, Soil Conservation Department was again put under Mizoram Agriculture Department. In the meantime, Lunglei Soil Conservation Division was again bifurcated into Chhimtuipui Soil Conservation Division with its headquarters at Lawngtlai on 6.8.1980.

On 18.10.1985, Soil Conservation Department was declared as a full fledged Department by the Government of Mizoram and since then the Department has been expanded to 5(five) more S.C.Division, Research Institute, Engineering Division and 36 Nos. S.C. Ranges. The organizational set up of the Department at present is as follows :

A. Directorate Level :
(i) Director – overall incharge of the Department.
(ii) Joint Director – to assist Director in all matters of administration.
(iii) Planning & Project Formulation headed by Planning Officer.
(iv) Establishment headed by Office Superintendent.
(v) Account Section headed by Finance & Account Officer.
(vi) Vehicle Section headed by Foreman.
(vii) Information & Store section headed by Asst. Soil Conservation Officer or equivalent rank.
(viii) Engineering Wing headed by Divisional Engineer.

B. Various establishments at the District ( Division) level are :
(1) Aizawl Soil & Water Conservation Division for Aizawl District headed by Divisional Officer.
(ii) Mamit Soil & Water Conservation Division for Mamit District headed by Divisional Officer.
(iii) Kolasib Soil & Water Conservation Division for Champhai District by Divisional Officer.
(iv) Khawzawl Soil & Water Conservation Division for Champhai District headed by DivisionalOfficer.
(v) Serchhip Soil & Water Conservation Division for Serchhip District heade by Divisional Officer.
(vi) Lunglei Soil & Water Conservation Division for Lunglei District headed by the Divisional Officer.
(vii) Hnahthial Soil & Water Conservation Division for Lunglei District headed by Divisional Officer.
(viii) Lawngtlai Soil & Water Conservation Division for Chhimtuipui District ( Lai, Mara & Chakma District Councils ) headed by Divisional Officer.
(viii) Research, Education & Training Institute, Durtlang headed by the principal.

Under each functional Divisions, there are Soil Conservation Ranges headed by Soil Conservation Ranger/Range Officers as indicated below :

Sl. No. Division Name of S.C. Ranges

1.Aizawl Soil & Water 1. Durtlang. 2. Aibawk.
Conservation Division. 3. Thingsul. 4. Khawruhlian.
5.Darlawn. 6. Suangpuilawn.

2. Mamit Soil & Water 1. Reiek. 2. Lengpui
Conservation Division 3. W. Phaileng 4. Zawlnuam

3.Kolasib Soil & Water 1. Kolasib 2. Bilkhawthlir
Conservation Division. 3. Vairengte

4.Khawzawl Soil & Water 1. Khawzawl. 2. Champhai
Conservation Division 3. Khawbung 4. Hnahlan
5. Ngopa

5.Serchhip Soil & Water 1. Serchhip 2. Thenzawl
Conservation Division 3. E.Lungdar

6.Hnahthial Soil & Water1. Hnahthial 2. S. Vanlaiphai
Conservation Division 3. Thingsai 4. Pangzawl

7.Lunglei Soil & Water 1. Lunglei 2. Tlabung
Conservation division 3. Haulawng 4.Tawipui
5. Thenhlum
8.Lawngtlai Soil & Water1. Lawngtlai 2.Diltlang
Conservation Division 3. Chawngte 4. Saiha
5. Tuipang 6. Phura.

The Functions and duties of the department are defined in a) The Government of Mizoram ( Allocation of Bussiness ) Rules,1987 and b) The Government of Mizoram ( Transaction of Bussiness ) Rules, 1987as amended/ modified from time to time.

The said Allocation of Business Rules 1987 allocates the business to the Department to perform such functions as :
(1) Soil Conservation.
(2) Hillside terracing.
(3) Plantations for Soil Conservation, including Coffee & Rubber Plantation.
(4) Utilisation of Terrace land for other ( agricultural ) purposes.
(5) Contour bunding.
(6) Soil Erosion Control Works.
(7) Stream Bank Erosion Control.
(8) Gully Control Measures.
(9) Water Retention Dams/Water Harvesting.
(10) Tea Cultivation/Plantation.

Secretary/Commissioner acts as the administrative head of the department and principal adviser of the concerned Minister on all matters of policy and administration within the department. He is assisted by sub-ordinate officers and staff.

(1) Minister-in-charge of the Department – to formulate policies and dispose business pertaining to the Department.
(2) Secretary of the Department – to assist and carry out the instructions of the Minister-in-charge in this regard.
(3) The Department – to execute and carry out various business and works allocated through officers and staff, monitor and review from time to time in accordance with policy and govt. rules and regulations.