Question

Which region in India is known for practicing the slash and burn type of primitive subsistence agriculture called ‘Kumari’?

• A. Jharkhand
• B. Western Ghats
• C. Odisha
• D. Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Western Ghats

• Correct Answer Option C) Western Ghats

• The slash and burn type of primitive subsistence agriculture called 'Kumari' is primarily practiced in the Western Ghats region of India. This traditional agricultural method is particularly prevalent in the hill slopes and forested areas of the Western Ghats, especially in states like Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

• Kumari cultivation, also known as shifting cultivation or jhum cultivation in other parts of India, involves clearing forest land by cutting and burning vegetation to create temporary agricultural fields. After cultivating crops for 2-3 years, the land is left fallow to allow natural regeneration of forest cover, while farmers move to clear new areas.

• In the Western Ghats, this practice has been traditionally used by indigenous communities and hill tribes to grow crops like rice, millets, spices, and various cash crops. The rich biodiversity and favorable climate of the Western Ghats make it suitable for this type of agriculture, though it is now being regulated due to environmental concerns.

• The other options - Jharkhand, Odisha, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands - do practice various forms of shifting cultivation, but the specific term 'Kumari' is most closely associated with the Western Ghats region.