Question

Briefly explain two impacts of shifting cultivation on the eco-system.

Answer 1

Shifting cultivation is a system of farming in which a plot of land is cleared and cultivated for a short period of time then, abandoned and the cultivator moves to another plot. It is known as Jhoom in Assam and Onam in Kerala. It involves clearing of a land plot by cutting down trees and burning them. The ashes are then mixed with soil.

1. Shifting cultivation involves burning down of trees, which releases harmful gases into the atmosphere and causes air pollution. These harmful gases affect the health of the people living in the surrounding areas.
2. It can also kill many species of flora and fauna in the process, so it is a major cause of loss of biodiversity.