Question

In the North East region of India, during the process of jhum cultivation, forests are cleared by burning and left for regrowth after a year of cultivation. How would you explain the regrowth of forest in ecological term?

Answer 1

In Jhum cultivation or slash and burn method, the forest area or the agricultural field after harvesting or cutting is burnt with the remnants of the crops or the forest plants. After burning the areas are left to recover for atleast a year for regrowth. The process increases the potash content of the soil and supports better growth of crops or regrowth of the forest area. This is a type of secondary succession.