Question

What is the other name of slash and burn cultivation? And also explain it.

Answer 1

Hint:Slash and burn cultivation is an agricultural method of cultivation by first clearing land of existing vegetation, then burning them, and later cultivating plants in burnt soil. This burnt soil has potash which increases the nutrient content of the soil.

complete answer:
slash and burn cultivation is also known as Jhum cultivation.
-In jhum cultivation trees are first cut down.
-Seeds are sown in burnt soil after rain which ensures moist soil.
-Land is cultivated for a few years till its fertility is retained.
-Later it is abandoned and left to permit producing normal vegetation. The cultivator finds another plot and moves on.
-Replenishment of soil is ensured in jhum cultivation.
-It helps soil get back all nutrients which it lost during cultivation. Hence recycling of nutrients is ensured.
-This method is not eco-friendly because trees are cut down and the land is burned. Gradually the soil loses its fertility. It can also lead to soil erosion.

Additional information:
-In India jhum cultivation is mainly practiced in hill tribes of Northeastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Manipur.
-Nagaland and Mizoram have the highest area under jhum cultivation.
-It is one of the oldest practices of agricultural systems.
-It is mainly practiced by tribal people.
-Recycling of nutrients is ensured in this method.
-Shifting agriculture is also known as Swidden agriculture.

Note:
Major disadvantage of this method IS that it is both uneconomical as well as harms the ecosystem. The forests department has taken various initiatives to reduce shifting cultivation by reforestation. They implemented schemes like Social forestry and the National Afforestation program for the same. Now new methods are established which are both eco-friendly and economical.