(a) whether the practice of shifting cultivation continues in the country in North-Eastern and
Eastern parts of the country;
(b) if so, the area under shifting cultivation, State-wise; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to discourage this practice and introduce modern
agricultural practices in the said region?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF
STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Shifting cultivation is a primitive practice of cultivation in
the States of North Eastern region and eastern parts of the country. As per studies
conducted by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), about 14.66 lakh ha.
areas are affected by Shifting Cultivation mainly in seven States of North Eastern
Region namely; Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland
and Tripura. The State- wise details of the extent of Shifting Cultivation/Jhum areas are
Annexed.
(c): With a view to protect hill slopes, reduce land degradation, encourage and assist
Jhumia families to develop jhum land for productive purposes with improved
cultivation and modern agriculture practices, Government of India, Ministry of
Agriculture is implementing a Special Central Assistance to State Plan Scheme on
Watershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA) in seven
States of the North Eastern Region of the country. Under this scheme various soil and
water conservation measures along with livelihood support interventions are
implemented on watershed approach basis with 100 % Central assistance to the States
covered under the scheme.