Question

Slash and burn agriculture involves a recovery phase for the forest to grow back. Yet this practice of cultivation is considered to lead to deforestation. Why is that so?

• A. With increasing population, and repeated cultivation, this recovery phase is done away with
• B. Farming and cattle grazing decreases the soil fertility
• C. Forest does not grow back once it has been burnt
• D. Seeds of cultivated crops interfere with the growth of natural vegetation

Answer 1

The correct option is A With increasing population, and repeated cultivation, this recovery phase is done away with

Slash and burn agriculture is an age-old practice in which a patch in the forest is used for farming or cattle grazing.

Patch of the forest is cleared by slashing and cutting down the trees. The remnants of cut trees and left overs are put to fire and the ash is used as a fertiliser and the land is then used for farming or cattle grazing.

After cultivation, the area is left for several years to allow its recovery. The farmers then move on to other areas and repeat this process.

In earlier days, when slash and burn cultivation was in prevalence, enough time-gap was given so that the land recovered from the effect of cultivation.

With increasing population, and repeated cultivation, this recovery phase is done away with, resulting in deforestation.