A Review of Environmental Issues Due to Shifting Cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh, India
Ram Krishna Mandal *
Department of Economics, Cooch Behar Panchanan Barma University, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India.
Kiron Lonchung
Department of Geography, Dera Natung Govt. College, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Since the dawn of human civilization, shifting farming, or Jhum cultivation, has been practiced. It continues to be practiced traditionally in hilly areas today. Because it causes so many issues, like soil erosion, loss of soil fertility, extinction of flora and fauna, depletion of water supplies, etc., it is a plague on human existence. The objectives ofthe study have tried to explore the adverse impacts of shifting cultivation and different causes of water pollution.Some recent studies are reviewed and research gap is identified. This study is descriptive by nature based basically on data of secondary sources. Someadverse impacts are sought out.Some findings are sought out. Some suggestions are given to solve the adverse impacts to bring the allround development of the State. It is necessary to make an integrated research on the basic problems raised with the shifting cultivation by scientists of all the disciplines including social scientists.
Keywords: Jhum cultivation, human existence, soil erosion, soil fertility, flora and fauna, water resources