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Impact of Jhum Cultivation on the Agro-ecology of Mountains and Socio-economy of Tribal Peoples

S.M. Rezaul Karim
Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Mashhor Mansor
School of Biological Sciences, USM, Penang, Malaysia

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Jhum cultivation, popularly known as slash and burn is the most prevalent form of cultivation in the hills of tropical Asian countries including Bangladesh. Jhuming involves cutting patches forests of the mountains in January to March, left on the hill slopes for one month for drying and burning of the dried plants. Small holes are made throughout the sloppy fields and seeds of different crops are sown in the holes in April. Crops are harvested in succession as they ripe between July to December. This study examines the impacts of jhum cultivation on the management of soil and water resources, biodiversity, forest productivity and socio-economic conditions of the jhum cultivators (tribal peoples). A vast area of land comes under jhum cultivation every year in tropical Asia. The jhum cultivation lead to decline of productivity by 50%, the yields are almost equal to the input values and the farmers are experienced food shortage of 2 to 6 months every year. The jhum farmers adopt new occupations to support their livings. An amount of 100 to 250 metric tons of topsoil per hectare are depleted per year due to jhum cultivation. The rotation cycle of fallowing has been reduced from 7-8 to 3-4 years especially in Bangladesh. The forest birds, arboreal mammals and plants were disturbed significantly and a few species are found in the second-growth habitats created by jhum cultivation. The reasons for this mountain degradation were identified as government policies in classifying jhum fallow lands as wastelands or degraded forest which made end of community ownership. Creation of reserve forests, nationalization of jhum land by the government and planned resettlement of plain land peoples into hills are also the reason for mountain degradation and as a consequence of which the jhumias are moving to the marginal lands.

Keywords: Jhum cultivation, Tribal peoples, Agro-ecology, Fallow-period

Location: Department of Agronomy, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Non-commodity: Impact

Objectives:

The study examined the gradual changes occurred in government policies which affected jhum cultivation in hills and impacts of jhum cultivation on the management of soil and water resources, biodiversity, forest crop and productivity and socio economic conditions of jhum cultivators of tropical Asia with special reference to Bangladesh.

Methodology:

Gradual changes in jhuming areas of CHTs: In the jhum cultivation areas i.e., CHTs significant changes have had occurred in land-use over several centuries which can be categorized as Pre-British colonial period, British colonial period, Post-colonial period and Independence of Bangladesh period. These changes give an idea about the impacts on the mountains and the socio-economic conditions of the jhum cultivators.

Source of Information: Asian Journal of Agricultural Research, 5: 109-114

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: 10.3923/ajar.2011.109.114

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The jhum cultivation in the hilly region of Bangladesh is a serious threat to the farmers of jhum cultivation areas. Although jhum cultivation is a non-viable resource-utilization practice in Bangladesh, the tribals are clinging to this practice to sustain their livelihood due to their religious faith on it and non-availability of timely employment avenues. Propitious cultural and religious ceremonies are carried out evoking blessings of super-natural powers and to enhance bonding of the communities. It is obvious that nationalization of land and forest, creation of reserve forest, abolishing the customary rights of tribals on land and forest, frequent displacement of indigenous people, construction of hydro-electric dam and resettlement of low-land peoples into CHTs have had several impacts on use and management of land and forest resources of CHTs.

Knowledge Management: Journal