Shifting cultivation is practiced in

Solution (By Examveda Team)

Option A: Southern hills

The southern hills, including parts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, have hilly terrains, but shifting cultivation is not a dominant practice here.

These regions mostly practice settled agriculture with crops like tea, coffee, and spices due to favorable climate and soil conditions.

Shifting cultivation may occur in isolated tribal pockets, but it is not widespread.

Option B: Western Ghats

The Western Ghats stretch along the western coast of India and are known for their biodiversity and evergreen forests.

Agricultural practices here include plantation crops such as rubber, coffee, tea, and spices.

Shifting cultivation is not a common practice in this region, as the terrain and economic development favor permanent and commercial farming.

Option C: Western Himalayan region

The Western Himalayan region includes parts of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

This area is characterized by temperate climate and terraced farming on hilly slopes.

The focus is on crops like barley, wheat, and maize.

Shifting cultivation is rarely practiced here due to different cultural and environmental conditions.

Option D: NE Himalayan region

The North-Eastern Himalayan region, which includes states like Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and parts of Assam and Tripura, is the primary area in India where shifting cultivation (jhum cultivation) is extensively practiced.

Tribal communities clear forest patches by burning and then cultivate the land for a few years before moving to a new patch, allowing the old one to regenerate.

This method is well-adapted to the hilly, forested terrain and cultural traditions of the region.

Conclusion:

Among all the options, the NE Himalayan region is the most appropriate and widely recognized region for shifting cultivation in India.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option D: NE Himalayan region.