Consider the following statements and choose the correct codes given ...
- Jhum (Shifting) cultivation is a primitive practice of cultivation in States of North Eastern Hill Region of India and people involved in such cultivation is called Jhumia.
- The practice involves clearing vegetative/forest cover on land/slopes of hills, drying and burning it before the onset of monsoon and cropping on it thereafter.
- After harvest, this land is left fallow and vegetative regeneration is allowed on it till the plot becomes reusable for the same purpose in a cycle. Meanwhile, the process is repeated in a new plot designated for Jhum cultivation during next year.
Consider the following statements and choose the correct codes given ...
Jhum cultivation in the North-Eastern State of India
Jhum cultivation, also known as slash-and-burn agriculture or shifting cultivation, is a traditional method of farming practiced in the North-Eastern states of India. It involves clearing a patch of forest land, burning the vegetation, and then cultivating crops on the fertile ash-enriched soil. This process is repeated in a cyclical manner as the soil fertility diminishes, and new patches of land are cleared for cultivation.
Statement 1: Jhum cultivation is adopted in the North-Eastern State of India.
The first statement is correct. Jhum cultivation is primarily practiced in the North-Eastern states of India, including states like Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh. These states have hilly terrains with dense forests, and the indigenous communities living in these regions have traditionally relied on jhum cultivation for their sustenance.
Statement 2: Jhum cultivation is a process of afforestation.
The second statement is incorrect. Jhum cultivation is not a process of afforestation but rather a method of shifting cultivation. It involves the temporary clearance of forest land for agricultural purposes. The cycle of jhum cultivation includes both the clearing of forest land and the regrowth of vegetation after cultivation is complete. However, due to the rapid population growth and increased agricultural activities, the cycle of jhum cultivation has been shortened in recent years, leading to deforestation and soil degradation.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the correct codes for the given statements are:
a) 1 only
Statement 1 is correct as jhum cultivation is indeed practiced in the North-Eastern states of India. However, statement 2 is incorrect as jhum cultivation is not a process of afforestation, but rather a form of shifting cultivation that involves temporary forest clearance for agriculture.