Shifting cultivation in north-east India

  Irya Changsan

Shifting cultivation (locally known as jhum cultivation) is also the main form of agriculture in the north-eastern states of India such as, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Assam. Shifting cultivation is described as slash or burn or swidden agriculture and is widely practised by the hill tribes. It is the predominant form of agriculture where the hill tribes are dependent for their livelihood. This system of farming is regarded as the first stage in the evolution of agriculture-the transitional stage from hunting and gathering to settled cultivation. The implements used in this cultivation are primitive and is a labour intensive form with an extensive use of land. The study will examines the practice of shifting cultivation by the hill tribes and reflect on the various rituals and practices link to this method of cultivation. This paper attempts to understand shifting cultivation as a source of livelihood to the hill tribes and how it has direct bearing to their socio- cultural system which is linked to their religious rites and festivals. The sources used for the purpose are both primary and secondary. It includes Proceedings of Revenue Department, Forest Department, Progress Report of Forest Administration in Assam, journals and relevant related books.

Keywords- shifting cultivation, hill tribes, livelihood.

Unique Identification Number - IJEDR2001072
Page Number(s) - 385-387
Pubished in - Volume 8 | Issue 1 | January 2020
DOI (Digital Object Identifier) -   
Publisher - IJEDR (ISSN - 2321-9939)

  Irya Changsan,   "Shifting cultivation in north-east India", International Journal of Engineering Development and Research (IJEDR), ISSN:2321-9939, Volume.8, Issue 1, pp.385-387, January 2020, Available at :http://www.ijedr.org/papers/IJEDR2001072.pdf