Question

"Future of shifting cultivation is bleak". Which of the following statement is/are correct in context of this?

विकल्प

• These days the biggest problem being faced by the. shifting cultivators is of shortening cycles of jhum, which makes the entire practice unsustainable.

• Shifting cultivation is sustainable (only for self-consumption) in nature, hence ·it is unable to meet with the market demand and therefore there is no scope for it in the increasing globalized markets.

• With the infiltration of non-tribals in the tribal areas, tribals are adopting to modem agricultural practices which are more productive and environmentally sustainable.

• All the above

Answer 1

All the above

Explanation:

(i) The shifting cultivators' biggest problem these days is the shortening of jhum cycles, which makes the entire practice unsustainable.

(ii) There are also several restrictions imposed by governments, such as forest acts, that impede tribes' free movement and the practice of shifting cultivation.

(iii) Shifting cultivation is not sustainable (only for self-consumption) in nature, so it cannot meet market demand and thus has no place in the increasingly globalised markets.

(iv) With the infiltration of non-tribals into tribal areas, tribals are adopting more productive and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices.

(v) A large land resource base is required to support a small population, which eventually leads to soil erosion and land degradation.