Loss of Medicinal Plants due to Shifting Cultivation (Jhum) in Kiphire District, Nagaland, India

Abstract

Shifting cultivation, also referred to as slash-and-burn agriculture, is a traditional practice extensively carried out in the Kiphire district of Nagaland, India. While it serves as a livelihood for tribal communities, its ecological consequences, particularly on medicinal plant diversity, are profound. This study investigates the impact of shifting cultivation on the loss of medicinal plants by comparing vegetation in virgin forests and jhum fallows. A systematic vegetation survey was conducted using 10 m x 10 m quadrats to record medicinal plant diversity, abundance and ecological characteristics. Sixteen medicinal plant species belonging to 15 families were identified in the virgin forests. These species, including Holarrhena pubescens, Kaempferia galangal and Laurus nobilis, are known for their significant therapeutic, ecological and cultural roles. Alarmingly, these species were entirely absent in the jhum fallows, highlighting the adverse effects of shifting cultivation on biodiversity. Shortened fallow periods, driven by population pressures and demand for agricultural land, were found to exacerbate land degradation, as the forests fail to regenerate adequately. The ecological roles of medicinal plants in maintaining soil fertility, regulating ecosystem processes and supporting traditional healthcare systems are critical, yet they are increasingly under threat. The study further underscores the cultural and economic importance of these plants to local communities, necessitating immediate conservation measures. The findings advocate for integrating sustainable land-use practices, afforestation and community-based conservation strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss. Policymakers and local stakeholders must collaborate to promote agroforestry systems, enrich fallow lands with medicinal plants and preserve the region’s ecological and cultural heritage. This research contributes valuable insights into the need for balancing agricultural practices with biodiversity conservation to ensure ecological resilience in Nagaland’s fragile ecosystems.