Traditional Land Forms and Changing Land Use Patterns in Northeast India
By G. Srinivasan
Summary
The North-Eastern states of India, recognized for their rich biodiversity, forest cover, and unique geographical features, face significant challenges due to shifting land use patterns and agricultural practices. Traditional shifting cultivation (Jhum), practiced by 80–90% of cultivated areas, has led to soil degradation, erosion, and nutrient loss, prompting a shift toward fallow lands and cash crops like tea and rubber. These changes are exacerbated by factors such as population pressure, economic development, urbanization, and climate change, which also contribute to frequent floods, landslides, and human-wildlife conflicts. Over 70% of the region’s population relies on agriculture, making sustainable land management and strict regulation of land conversion crucial to preserving natural resources and livelihoods. The region’s diverse landforms, including Himalayan ranges, river systems, and plateaus, support unique ecosystems, including UNESCO World Heritage sites like Kaziranga National Park. However, infrastructure development, mining, and deforestation threaten these ecosystems. The study emphasizes the need for afforestation, social forestry, and improved agricultural practices to mitigate land degradation and maintain ecological balance.
Conclusion
The shift from traditional shifting cultivation to cash crops and non-agricultural land uses in Northeast India has significant implications for soil health, biodiversity, and livelihoods. The decline of Jhum cultivation, driven by soil degradation and socio-economic pressures, has led to increased land conversion for plantations and urbanization, threatening forest cover and wildlife habitats. This transformation exacerbates human-wildlife conflicts, disrupts water resources, and risks long-term agricultural productivity. Sustainable land management, stricter regulations on land-use changes, and afforestation efforts are critical to preserving the region's ecological balance and supporting its agriculture-dependent communities. Addressing population growth, climate change, and infrastructure development pressures through policy interventions and community engagement is essential to safeguarding Northeast India's unique biodiversity and cultural heritage while ensuring equitable economic progress.