Shifting Cultivation of Arunachal Pradesh: Its Problems and Solutions

Shifting Cultivation of Arunachal Pradesh: Its Problems and Solutions

Dr. Doli Tesia

Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Wangcha Rajkumar Govt. College, Deomali Arunachal Pradesh

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.47772/IJRISS.2025.909000192

Received: 17 September 2025; Accepted: 25 September 2025; Published: 04 October 2025

INTRODUCTION

Shifting cultivation is one of the types of agriculture practice in tropical region of the world mostly found in hilly region where plain land is absent and primitive methods are followed to grow the crops. Agriculture is purely depended on rain and is a labour intensive.

Shifting cultivation or slash and burn agriculture is known as Jhum cultivation in North-East India. It is a labour intensive, extensive use of land, technology primitive; production and income are very low. The man who practices jhum cultivation i.e. shifting cultivator is called Jhmias.  He selects the same field on the slope of the hill on rotation basis. Due to in fertility of soil the Jhumia is compelled to shift his cultivation on another plot. He keeps the land fallow for a number of years for regeneration of forests. Again, he uses the same land that is why this process is called shifting cultivation. The main characteristic of Shifting cultivation is rotation of fields in a circle wise which is known as jhum circle i.e. ‘The intervening period for which a jhum land is abandoned.

Jhum cultivation is called by different names in different regions of the world: –

North East-Jhum, Central America & part of Africa- Milpa, Venezuela- Conuco, Brazil-Roca, Zaire-Masole, Malasia-Indang, Indonesia- Humah, Philippines- Caingin, Myanmar- Taungya, Thailand-Tamrai, Sri Lanka – Chema

There are different stages followed by the farmers for jhum agricultural operation –

• Selection of forested hilly track
• Cleaning the forest track by cutting down the jungle during, November, December
• Drying and burning of filled shrub/trees into ashes during December, January.
• Fencing cleared plots.
• Worship and sacrifice.
• Dibbling and sowing of seeds for mixed cropping.
• Weeding operation
• Watching and protecting the crops against depredation by wild animals, pest etc.
• Harvesting and thrashing
• Fallowing
• Feast and merry making

Study area

Since historical period Jhum agriculture is practicing by the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh in the hilly region due to paucity of plain cultivable land. Settled agriculture is found in few areas of the state especially in the river valleys and plateau with suitable terrain like Lohit, Dibang, East Siang, West Siang, Changlang, Kanubari and terrace rice cultivation of Lower Subansiri (Ziro Valley) and West Kameng (Sherdukpens and Mompas).

Large portion land in the region is still under jhum cultivation. cultural, rituals and customs of the tribal people are connected with jhum cultivation. These tribal people are involved in this type of agriculture because of less use of capital, inputs, machines etc. and is a labor-intensive method of cultivation.

In jhuming farmers do not use any plough or bullock. jhuming is a no tillage method of fragile tropical soil of the hill slope which involves clearing of vegetation with axes, daos (large knives), hoes and iron-capped sticks. In Jhum field they grow rice, maize, millet, chilies, sesame, gourds, yam, taro, tapioca, ginger etc.

Area under Shifting cultivation is decreasing in the global scenario due to many reasons like low productivity, lack of rain falls, soil erosion, government restrictions etc. But still in North East states especially Nagaland, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh are still under Jhum cultivation. As per govt. reports, about 2.4percent of the total land area of North-Eastern region is under the shifting cultivation. According to FAO (1975), about 7.40million hectares of the north-eastern India has been affected by shifting cultivation and in Arunachal Pradesh about 54,000 families earn their livelihood from 700sq.km jhum plots every year.

Map of study area

Table 1: Area under Shifting Cultivation in North-eastern states of India Area(sq.km)

Source: Hoakp, I., Devi, M. Das, H. Dey, P. Kumar<and Tasung, A. (2021), Shifting Cultivation in northeast India: sustainability issues and strategies for improvement. Harit Dhara,4(2),4, (https:/iiss.icar.gov.in/magazine/v412/5pdf)

The above table showed the area under shifting cultivation in north eastern states of India, Where Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh have the larger portion of land under the jhum cultivation. Assam, Sikkim and Tripura have least portion of land under shifting cultivation.

Objective: –In this research paper the author has tried to find out the problem causes due to shifting cultivation and at the same time to find out the ways or solutions to solve the problems in a sustainable way.

Methodology: –This research paper is descriptive and qualitative approach. It is purely based on secondary data collected from Government reports, international agencies, research papers published and unpublished thesis, dissertations, articles etc. some map, data are also used for the authenticity of the study area

Problems

The following problems are caused due to shifting cultivation: –

1. Environmental and Socio-cultural-

Due to increase in Jumia family all the members cannot be absorbed in jhum cultivation, which result in development of consumption gap in the hills with smaller plots of land devoted to Jhuming with shorter and shorter fallowing period. Due to high population pressure, it has reduced to 3 to 8years which leads to low fertility, more soil erosion and loss of biodiversity. Over exploitation of forests and for commercial purposes leads to a deterioration condition of the forests and creating problem of eco-system, ecological damage in the hills widespread poverty, tribal social discontent and the growth of extension fallout of the development in the state

2. Soil erosion

High rainfall and hilly topography lead to severe soil erosion in the region.

The excessive deforestation for shifting cultivation and commercial purposes is resulting in alarming and frightening signals for human survival, 181mt of soil is lost annually as a result of shifting cultivation from North-eastern hill region caused soil erosion landslides, floods and droughts in the fields.

3. Soil fertility

Burning of vegetation in the process of shifting cultivation chemically alters the plants nutrients supply from organic form to a mineral form in ash, major portion of which is often lost in course of runoff. 

Table 2: Effects of soil properties after burning studied at laboratories

Source: Bothakur, etal.1983 (Majumdar, D.N (1990) “Shifting cultivation in North East India, “Omsons publications, Guwahati New Delhi

4. Loss of Flora and Fauna

More than 20,000 identified species of medicinal plants (many still remain unidentified) is found in the state. shifting cultivation has destroyed varieties of indigenous flora and fauna, destroy the bio diversity and hampers ecosystem.

5. Water Resources

Almost 10% of the total rainfall of the country is received in this region. Soil erosion and deforestation results in low infiltration and more runoff causing downstream flood. supply of drinking water has become serious problem throughout the stat

Solutions

For the sustainable of Jhum field and people of the state it is very important to find out the ways or means to combat the demerits of Shifting cultivation in the study area. Some of the measures the author has tried to studied are as follows: –

1. Diversification of Hill Economy

Arunachal Pradesh with geographical area of 83743sq.km is largest state in North-east India, but arable land is limited due to its hilly mountainous topography. Though agriculture generate more employment but its productivity is relatively low. In such situation, hill economy diversification can play a significant role in improving livelihood of rural people and protection of the environmental degradation due to Jhum cultivation.

Hill economy diversification like crop diversification towards high value crops can help farmers to generate higher income from smaller plot of land. And the hilly topography and temperate climatic conditions of the state favour cultivation of seasonal vegetables and temperate fruits and also offer economic scope in the unskilled sector.

An analysis of secondary data revealed that in recent period cropping pattern in the state has been changing in favour of commercial crops.

Diversification of crops is considered important to raise income and mitigate production risk. Many studies have found positive relationship between crop diversification and farm income. To measure the crop diversification of Arunachal Pradesh Simpson Index of Crop Diversification (SID)was computed to measure the extent of crop diversification. The value of SID was found to be high and increasing over the years as shown in the table :3 below

Table 3: Simpson Index of Crop Diversification for Arunachal Pradesh

Source: Statistical Abstract of Arunachal Pradesh (Computed)

The SID value for the state shows that crop diversification in the state is very high and has been increasing over the years which implies that the state cultivates a large number of crops in their field to reduce risk as well as to next requirement of their family by enhancing their income and improve livelihood.

Other hill economy diversification of the state is its rich cultural heritage. natural potential hotspot for tourism and river potential etc. By increasing in infrastructure tourism eco-tourism and developing niche tourism production can generate substantial revenue for the region.

Arunachal Pradesh has rich cultural heritage with its diverse tribes, unique traditions and vibrant art forms. The state cultural landscape is made up of numerous indigenous communities, each with distinct customs, languages and artistic expression passed down through generations and their rich cultural heritage is further enriched by the influence of different religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, Christian. For examples numerous monasteries, temples, churches, historical sites etc. places like Tawang is famous for its natural scenic beauty and for Tawang Monastery which can attract foreign tourist of the world and tribal festivals, culture, rituals, art, folklore etc. can be a source of livelihood for the people of the study area .

Biodiversity hotspot region -Arunachal Pradesh is considered as one of the 12 mega diversities in the world. The state has 20% species of the country’s fauna,4500 species of flowering plants,400 species of pteridophytes,23species of conifers.,35 spices of bamboos,20spices of canes,52 rhododendron spices and more than 500 spices of orchids. The biodiversity richness can be one of the ways to generate income for the state by proper planning, research study, maintaining, allocation of funds by the government for the development of tourist spot.

Another important natural resource is hydro power which is still untapped. According to the Arunachal Pradesh State Electricity Regulatory Commission it has a hydro power potential of over 57,00MV. So, for that there should be proper study of the area in relation to environmental effects present and past, proper discussion and ways to solve the problems of the local effected people like proper displacement of the local people in other area, telling them about the merits of constructing dam etc.

2. Land Reform:

Land reform is needed in Arunachal Pradesh as land is not distributed equally. In the state land ownership is divided into three-

1. Land owned by the community
2. land owned by the chief
3. Land owned by the individual families

Documentation and studied of the customary land laws and uniform land policy should be formulated. Ceiling on cultivable land should be fixed and varying depending on the quality of land. Landless poor people should be given some cultivable land and share cropping should be discouraged. All land sales should be compulsory registered. Restriction should be placed on the sale of cultivable land to non-cultivators.

3. Land management

There is a need for proper land management system to find out and examine what type of forest or what type of crops for settled cultivation can be cultivated in the field. Need of adequate protection measured by effective supply of input including manures, fertilizers, tools and implements etc. More studies and research work has to be undertaken to improve the farming practices of the jhumias.

4. Soil survey

There is need for proper soil study to assess the soil potentiality for agriculture identifying erosion, salinity, acidity, alkalinity, water logging, etc. For the development of pasture, a detailed survey work should be undertaken keeping in view the nature of slope, soil depth and prevalent practices to reclassify the land for proper use in the form of terraces.

5. Conversion of jhum land into settled agriculture

Introduction of terrace cultivation by the initiative of government and the govt. should accelerate the process of conversion as much as possible and try to convince jhumias about good effect of settled cultivation.

6. Subadaries to agriculture

The government should encouraged horticulture, floriculture, sericulture, agro-forestry, growing of medicinal and aromatic plants on hills slope and fodder crops and emphasis on crops which will not damage the fragile hill economy and can help the people to earn their livelihood and get employed.

7. Cultivation of tea, coffee, rubber, black pepper, cardamom

In the hilly slope of the state, it is very favourable for the growth of tea, coffee, spices etc, which in return generate revenue also employment opportunity for growing population of the state and also protect the land from erosions and depletion of soil.

8. Agricultural knowledge

It is the part of the government to open Agricultural school in every district headquarter to give a practical training to the jhumias for different types of cultivation. And the school authority organizes seminars, symposia in almost all villages to convey the jhumia about the effect of jhum cultivation.

9. Fishery, piggery, dairies, poultry, Duckeries and livestock rearing etc. should introduced which will encourage double income of the hill people.
10. The state’s location provides opportunities for international trade with south Asian countries such as Myanmar, Bhutan and China.
11. There is a vast scope for industrial development like industries based on agricultural, horticultural and plantation product, industries based on non-timber forest product such as bamboo cane, medicinal plants/herbs, aromatic grass, etc. Textiles, handicrafts etc.

CONCLUSION

Shifting Cultivation has long history in Arunachal Pradesh it is practiced almost by all the tribes of the state and the method or process of jhum cultivation is same which involves clearing jungles, drying, burning forests, mixing the soil for sowing seeds, weeding, and harvesting of crop. Seeing the outcome of the production from the jhum cultivation, its effects on environment it is not at all sustainable for future agriculture but before the picture was different where population pressure was less and it was a sustainable practice with low density, long jhum cycle and less affected to environment etc. So its future lies in transforming towards more sustainable and integrated approaches that balance ecological integrity with social and economic needs which can be possible by embracing innovation and community based solution, by harnessing the positive aspects of jhum cultivation and mitigating its negative impacts with sustainable alternatives  like agroforestry, improved fallow management, involving local communities in the development and implementation of sustainable solution.by providing supportive policies and effective governance to promote sustainable land use practice and protect the rights of indigenous communities’.

Jhum Fields

REFERENCES

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