Jhum Cultivation and its impact on Ecology
Need for Viable Alternatives

Ceety Khongsai *

Jhum Cultivation seen in this Breath-taking landscape of Manipur :: Pix - Bullu Raj

Introduction:

Manipur is a hilly region with large portion of its geographical areas being covered by forests. The topography of the region apart from fertility of the soil can be attributed as one of the factors for widespread practice of jhum cultivation. The sloppy hills, fertile soil and accessibility to the forests are an ideal site for jhuming not to speak of its productivity.

Jhuming, also called shifting cultivation is locally known as 'Pamlou' by the Meeteis whereas in the hills it is known under different names by different ethnic groups. Shifting cultivation, as the term clearly signifies, is method of cultivation wherein crops are sowed in a particular site for a single harvest and thereafter shifted to another site and the process continues as long as cultivable lands are available in the forests. In Manipur. the practice of jhum cultivation is as old as its civilisation and still continues unabated because the people as well as the government are yet to realise the environmental impacts of jhum cultivation.

Lack of Mass Awareness:

Any schemes or projects, whatsoever, to be effective needs mass awareness and sincere support ofthe people. In the context of Manipur, majority ofthe hill people are yet to fully realise about the harmful effects of jhum cultivation on ecosystem: the hill people still need a lesson on jhum cultivation and its impacts on ecology. The Village Councils, be it traditional or of state government, hardly had any ideas on ecology as the topic is incomprehensible to the traditionally blended mindset councillors whose understanding and knowledge of nature have been clouded with myths and superstitions. In fact, the tribal understanding that the land rejuvenates itself in its natural course still rules the mind of the hill people vis-a-vis hill forests.

Consequently, many rare species of the flora and fauna found abundantly in the forests are now in a state of extinction and the natural beauty and charm of this tiny state has virtually been reduced to a near barren land infested by human moth. When the sweet tweeting sounds of the midnight Owl is gone, the morning calm has no meaning to the weary hearts; when the voice of season change informer birds are unheard of jhumias looks towards the tress and flowers for seed sowing time, and in the absence of heart captivating sweet smelling beautiful flowers the hill environment wore gloomy landscape! The thunderous roars of jungle king, the lion, is now a past history; the Imphal river and Iril river which was once the abode of rare species of fishes now flows silently with no traces of Sarengs, Puklaobis, Ngapais etc. throughout its long rugged course.

Nevertheless, it is disappointingly sad to learn that at this critical juncture of uncertainty, the Department of Forests and Environment, which happens to be the enforcement wing of the government's policy on environment, are couched in deep slumber completely unaware of the wildfires and forests encroachers even within the vicinity of greater Imphal hills (Langol Hills), forget about the ravaging jhum fires which engulfed the entire hills during March/April, reducing many rarest species of nature to ashes within few hours.

Theoretically the department of Forests and Environment has hundreds of highly qualified officers to mouth-feed the juvenile legislators on policies concerning forests and its protection but nothing cognizable outcome has emerge so far. It may not be an over­statement to say that during the past many years, the department of forests has done nothing visible to make awareness among the hill people who incidentally are the chief agents of deforestation. No doubt, there have been street corner campaigns like posture campaigns. painting and essay writing competitions etc here and there in Imphal city on environment related topics organised and sponsored by the state government or by NGOs.

This is a positive step towards protecting our forests and environment. However, if we really are optimistic in transforming the entire barren and fallow lands of the hills into evergreen forests with healthy environment our foremost priority should be to focus attention to the hill people because forests and tribals are inseparably linked together as one human body. In other words, any policy or programmes of the government on forests whether short-term or long-term can be fruitful only when the tribals are aware of the policies and extend full co-operation.

Therefore, the best policy should be, "Go to the villages and tell them about the harmful effects of jhum cultivation on environment by providing them with alternative livelihood". It may be noted that the tribals are not averse to preservation of forests but they cannot live without clearing the forests because it serves as the only means of livelihood. If provided with alternative means of earning the tribals would definitely be the first to come forward to stand as vanguard in the campaign for forests protection.

The tribals love the forests in as much as other plain dwellers because their life and cultures are intertwined with forests. History is a testimony to prove the inter-relationship between tribal life and forests. Therefore, it is logically true to believe that the tribals will enthusiastically come forward in protecting the forests if provided with viable means of livelihood. As such the campaign on forests protection should directly be focus to the target groups rather than trumpeting beautifully coined slogans and themes in urban areas like Imphal city to attract more central funds.

Lack of Initiative by the State Government:

It's needless to say that human beings cannot live without environment. The sustenance of human life on the planet earth exclusively depends on conservation of natural vegetations. In plain words interdependence between animal (human) species and their natural environment for peaceful co-existence is called ecology. It is also worthwhile remembering that human beings are created to protect and preserved nature's creation and not for its destruction. As we all know, man realises his fullest development only in association with nature.

Today, the world is threatened by ecological imbalances rather than geographical imbalance. The second world had been destroyed by atomic bombs but now. the third world will possibly be destroyed by ecological catastrophes. World leaders and scientists are more worried about ecological degradation and its consequent future catastrophes than the stockpiles of nuclear arsenals by nuclear countries. In the backdrop of this futuristic mercury-like damnation our survival largely depends on protection, reforestation and conservation of forests. However, since the past many years the urgency of stringent legislation on protection of forests has not been tabled in the state assembly.

The existing Acts or laws whatsoever that had been framed and enacted by the colonial administration may serve as reference but to depend solely on such outdated, unsuitable and ineffective Acts or laws to our present day fast changing political scenario will certainly damn us to doomsday. In our 60-member state assembly not a single member voiced the need of formulating a lasting policy on forests and the hill people. Had the government ever constituted a committee to study and frame a policy for protection of forests so far?

Or had our learned elected MLAs ever raised a motion on 'Global Warming' in any of the assembly sessions? Global warming is a direct outcome of ecological imbalances cause by deforestation. The need of the hour is to invest all capacities of our brain to chalk out a mechanism to protect, conserve and regenerate the forests for survival of future generation. For this, the government must take the initiative to enlist participation of all sections in the society especially the scholars, environmentalists and scientists in formulating a long term policy on protection of forests through proper legislation.

All development projects and schemes set aside, the government must invest all its resources and energies to safeguard the forests from further degradation as our survival depends basically on rejuvenation of the forests. The unique tribal land holding system in the hills can profitably be utilised by the government as an effective mechanism in checking deforestation. In the process, role of the NGOs and other civil society organisations in spreading the message of "love your Forests as you love yourself' is equally important.

Introduction:

Indeed, fossil fuels, industrial wastes, smokes etc. have also contributed to atmospheric pollution and ecological imbalance but deforestation is its chief factor.

Need for Viable Alternatives:

All our efforts for protection and conservation of forests will not be fruitful until and unless some viable alternatives are made available to the jhumias for their livelihood. Protection of forests is important for our future existence but cutting of timber woods becomes indispensable for the hill men to earn their livelihood in the absence of other alternatives. Although cutting and selling of timber woods are illegal in Manipur and the wood cutters fined heavily, the fruits of the hill men in procuring timbers in the thick jungles of Koubru hills comfortably goes to the greedy pockets of the forest personnel who manned the Forest Check Posts.

It looks so good, at least, in theory that many parts of the hills are 'Reserved Forests' but in reality it happens to be a 'No man's land' where all sorts of deforestation activities are carried out under the patronage of the so-called Forests Guards! In a way, Forests Guards are just scapegoats because lion share of the ill-gotten gains that they made from the hapless timberwallas inflates the wallets of the higher authorities. On the other hand, the hill men who opt for this profession as a means to feed many hungry mouths in the family are left totally distressed as all the fruits of their sweats have simply swollen the belly pot stomach of the officers. Besides, the problem of communication networks in the hills compelled the jhumias to sell their products such as cash crops, vegetables, etc. at a throwaway prices due to lack of easy accessibility to the markets.

For instance, the highly demanded and delicious Mao potatoes are sold at Rs 6/- per Kg. at Maram Bazar but when it reaches Imphal city the price shot- up at Rs 16/- per Kg. likewise, the most popular Manipuri dish menu item 'yongchak' cost Rs 50/- per 100 pieces at Chalwa, IT Road whereas in Imphal Rs 100/- per 50 pieces is a no bargain fixed price.

In this way, the hill cultivators are deprived 50-60 percent profit of their products due to lack of communication facilities. Albeit, the blame on clearing the forests unquestionably goes to the hill men, the major profits are shared by the middlemen and the businessmen. As such, the hill people still remain in the arrow and bow hunting age of their forefathers, and they are yet to reap the fruits of their labour. It's high time our government introduce viable alternatives to substitute the jhum cultivation to save the forests before the entire hills turn into a barren land.

Conclusion:

It may be concluded that jhum cultivation will go on unhindered till a time our politicians took special coaching classes on "Jhum Cultivation and Its Impacts on Ecology "by toeing the lines of Lalu Prasad who took spoken English course to polish his broken English. When our elected MLAs acts like captains of the army in the battlefields in our campaign for protection and preservation of forests the landscape of Manipur we know today will only be a nightmare.

As human existence on earth depends on protection and conservation of our neighbourhood (Forests) it's our bounden duty to ensure peaceful co-existence of man and environment. For this, the government must take proactive role to streamline the forests Acts or Laws with the twin purpose of protecting the forests in one hand and formulate a long term policy to improve all round development of the hill people by instituting viaple alternatives on the other. Human life is precious and its realisation lies with our duty in preserving the environment. God's finest creation is human beings, and therefore, we should have a humane face towards all creations.