Discuss the view of europeans regarding the shifting cultivation
Answers
In shifting agriculture certain parts of the
forest are selected, cut and burnt. This is done in rotation. Then seeds are sown in the ashes after the monsoon. The crop is
ready to be harvested by October-November.
This cultivation is carried on for two to three years. After this, the land is
left fallow for about 12 to 18 years. This allows the forest to grow back
again. Cultivators grow different crops on this land. It varies from region to region. In central India and Africa,
it could be millets, in Latin America,
maize and beans and in Brazil, manioc. (5)
This practice of shifting agriculture was considered by European
foresters as harmful.
> They were of the opinion that any land that
was cultivated in this manner could not produce trees which would yield timber
for railways.
> They also argued that burning of forests was
a dangerous activity. The flames could spread and burn valuable timber.
> In addition, the government found that
calculation of tax was a problem with shifting agriculture as the cultivators did not stay on the same
piece of land for more than three years.
> The government, hence, decided to ban
shifting agriculture. Many people lost their means of livelihood and were
displaced from their homes.
They felt that the forest burnt would destroy timber and the danger of the flames would spread and burn valuable timber.
shifting cultivation made it harder for the government to caluculate taxes so British government decided to ban shifting cultivation.
As a resault, many communities were forcibly displaced from their homes in forest.
Some had to change occupations, while some resisted through large and small rebellions.