हाउ इज द शिफ्टिंग कल्टीवेशन प्रैक्टिस इन मिजोरम हार्मफुल फॉर एनवायरनमेंट
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This paper reviews the practices of shifting cultivation and its implications in Mizoram, North-East India. Mizoram has been remaining isolated from the main stream of development for the centuries. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people. About 80% population is engaged in its practices. Shifting cultivation is dominant in the highlands. The lowlands and valleys are characterized by the permanent wet rice cultivation. The data about the area under shifting cultivation is not unanimous. It varies from 18% of the total geographical area to 28%, according to the various studies carried out by the scholars. Out of the total net sown area, shifting cultivation covers about 38.64%. Rice is the main crop. However, its production meets only 25% of the total rice consumption. Shifting cultivation has doe impacts on the society and the environment. It is the main socio-economic activity of the highlanders. Meanwhile, it has negative impact on the forest and landscape. During the recent past, the fallow period of shifting cultivation has been reduced to 2-3 years. Therefore, the production and per ha yields of crops has largely been decreased. Further, the shifting cultivation areas have also been reduced to 58.1% from 1997-98 to 2010-11. As a result, 1.4% forestland increases in Mizoram, between 1991 and 2011. This study relies mostly upon the collection of secondary data and review of existing research. Field observation of some shifting cultivation areas of Aizawl and Mamit districts was carried out that has enhanced the interpretation of data. INTRODUCTION The term 'shifting cultivation' refers to 'slash and burn' agriculture and nomenclature as 'Jhum' or 'Jhuming' cultivation in North-East India (NEI). It is variably termed as rotational bush fallow agriculture, swidden cultivation, or slash and burn cultivation, and is an ancient form of agriculture still common in many parts of the humid tropics (Raman, 2001a). It is highly diverse land use system. It has been evolving since 10,000 BC in a wide range of distinct socio-economic and ecological conditions. Shifting cultivation spreads from mountains to lowland ecosystems and from tropical forests to grasslands (Spencer, 1966a). There is no universally accepted definition of shifting cultivation. The most complex and multifaceted form of agriculture, shifting cultivation is a practice, consists of cyclic nature, under which selection of fields, clearing them, drying and burning debris for the cultivation of cereals is carried out. Selecting forest patches and clearing vegetation from it, takes place generally in the months of December and January. The herbs, shrubs, twigs and branches are burnt in February and March. In the months of April and May, seeds are shown. Generally, seeds include cereals, vegetables and oil seeds. The farmers continue the practices of shifting cultivation on the current sites for a few years and then agricultural fields are abandoned. They shift their agricultural fields to the other forest area. After few years gap, they again come back to the previous fields. This goes continue. Mizoram is economically backward region. Its economy is mainly dependent on the traditionally cultivating cereal crops. About 80% people are engaged in agricultural practices. Rice is the main food-grain. The total consumption of rice in Mizoram is 1,80,000 MT whereas, it produces only 44,950 MT rice (25%). Under the traditional agriculture,