It's a fascinating traditional agricultural technique practiced in parts of Northeast India and Bangladesh.
Jhum, also known as shifting cultivation or slash-and-burn agriculture, involves clearing land of trees and vegetation, burning it, and then cultivating it for a few years before leaving it fallow (uncultivated) for a longer period to recover.
Jhum is predominantly practiced in the hilly regions of Northeast India, particularly in states like Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya.
It's also found in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh.
The burnt vegetation releases nutrients into the soil, enhancing its fertility for a short period.
Farmers typically grow staple crops like rice, maize, millet, and buckwheat during this time.
After a few years, the soil fertility becomes depleted, and the plot is abandoned for longer, allowing the natural vegetation to regenerate.
Jhum, when practiced sustainably, can be quite efficient.
It allows for high yields on small landholdings, suppresses weed growth, and controls soil-borne diseases.
However, Jhum cultivation can become unsustainable under population pressure or if fallow periods are shortened.
This can lead to soil erosion, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity.
Finding ways to balance the traditional practice with modern environmental considerations is an ongoing challenge.
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