Science through the lens

Jhum in the Naga Hills of Myanmar

Shifting cultivation –  locally known as Jhum – practiced by the Indigenous Naga people in the mountains of Northwest Myanmar is more than agriculture. Though often misunderstood as a cause of deforestation and carbon emissions, research shows: It’s a sustainable practice that supports communities and ecosystems and should be recognized and protected as a cultural heritage.
(All pictures were taken before the coup in 2021.)

The importance of fallow length

Jhum is an agroforestry system based on land rotation and regeneration. Long fallow periods of more than seven years are essential in shifting cultivation cycles to maintain soil fertility and ensure long-term sustainability. Without a sufficient fallow period, the soil will not have enough time to recover and the land will become degraded. Proper fallowing not only replenishes soil nutrient content, but the process also supports biodiversity by creating habitats for various plant and animal species.

For the Naga people, fallow periods are deeply embedded in their farming practices, balancing resource use with the need to protect the land for future generations. Fallow periods are not just a farming technique; they reflect a sustainable approach to land stewardship and cultural respect for the environment.

Land for all villagers

The Naga customary land tenure system ensures that community members have access to land and use it productively. All land is claimed and managed under the customary system. Households in need of land, including newcomers and people displaced by conflict or natural disaster, are allocated land to cultivate on a yearly basis.

Land is inalienable and cannot be sold to private companies or people living outside of the village. Customary institutions administer the land within village boundaries. Management decisions are made by the community.

More than agriculture

Naga people are deeply rooted in their land. In their understanding, people and nature must be in balance. Therefore, their culture is very strongly embedded in the environment. Athong Makury, director of the local organization Resource Rights for the Indigenous Peoples (RRtIP), says: “If you destroy our culture and traditions, you also destroy our wildlife, forests, rivers and mountains – and vice versa.”