The Paradox of Jhum Cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh: A Contestation Between Livelihood Rights and Sustainable Development

Jhum cultivation is an indigenous agricultural practice followed by some tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh. It involves burning trees and vegetation to clear plots of land for growing crops. This form of cultivation is closely linked with the traditions, customs, and knowledge systems of the communities that practise it. The present study aims to examine the practice of Jhum cultivation in Arunachal Pradesh, drawing attention to the indigenous knowledge and traditional farming methods associated with it. The paper also addresses the conflict between preserving cultural ethos and confronting the growing ecological unsustainability of Jhum cultivation within current environmental and development policy frameworks. These issues are at the heart of the current socio-economic dynamics in the tribal polluted areas, hence they are important to be acknowledged and resolved for devising effective policies that support sustainable life forms and dignified livelihoods. While the focus area is Arunachal Pradesh, references from other Northeastern states where Jhum is practised have also been included. An attempt is made to understand how Jhum cultivators can be encouraged to shift towards other sustainable practices without compromising their livelihood rights. The paper stresses the need for a realistic and community-based approach in addressing the issue of Jhum cultivation. This paper contributes to proposing the alternative paradigm of leading development through the inclusive participation of the indigenous communities in India.