Shifting Cultivation: Features, Extent and Environmental Impacts

Under Shifting cultivation, a piece of land is used for quite some years until the fertility is dropped. After that the farmers move to the new plots. It is practiced by tribal and also known as Burn and Slash cultivation. It is known as Jhoom in Assam, Onam in Kerala, Podu in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The same is known as Bewar in Madhya Pradesh.

Key Features of Shifting Cultivation

Over a large part of North East India, chief characteristics of shifting cultivation, while having different local names are found to be the same. These are

• Rotation of fields
• Use of fire for clearing the land
• Keeping the land fallow for regeneration for a number of years
• Use of human labour as main input
• Non-employment of draught animals
• Non-use of the plough, but instead very crude and simple implements such as dibble sticks and scrapers, are used, and
• All the crops being grown are mixed together.

Furthermore, in most parts of Northeast India it is found that hunting and gathering is an important subsidiary occupation of the shifting cultivators.

Extent of Shifting Cultivation in India

According to recent estimates, India’s 0.59 percent of the total geographical area is under shifting cultivation. The effects of shifting cultivation are devastating and far-reaching in degrading the environment and ecology of these regions. The earlier 15–20 years cycle of shifting cultivation on a particular land has reduced to two or three years now. This has resulted in large-scale deforestation, soil and nutrient loss, and invasion by weeds and other species. The indigenous biodiversity has been affected to a large extent. The current statistics say that India’s largest area under shifting cultivation is in the state of Odisha.

Impacts on Hilly Terrains

Most states of north east India are covered by dense forests. The topography of the region apart from fertility of the soil can be attributed as one of the factors for widespread practice of Jhum cultivation. The sloppy hills, fertile soil and accessibility to the forests are an ideal site for jhuming. The hilly areas of north East are becoming more and more barren due to jhuming.

Other Names of Shifting Cultivation

Shifting Cultivation is known as Ladang in Indonesia, Caingin in Philippines, Milpa in central America  & Mexico, Ray in Vietnam, Taungya In Myanmar , Tamrai in Thailand, Chena in Sri Lanka, Conuco in Venezuela, Roca in Brazil, Masole in central Africa. Chinook is a local wind.