Effect of shifting cultivation on soil erosion and its environmental impactin the district of undivided Koraput

Abstract

In Odisha, Koraput is a backward district, most of the tribal people are depend on their agriculture. Due to their poverty, they depend upon forest products like Jhuna, Mahu (Honey), Sal seed, Harida, bahada, lakha etc. And due to lack of own lands they cultivated on hill sides. Besically they cultivated Biri, Kulthi, Rasi, various types of vegetables, pulses, maize, bazara, millate, joo etc. newline In Odisha near about 70% people and 11 tribal communities wholly depend on shifting cultivation in Bandhugaon, Narayan Patna, Dasmantapur, Laxmipur Block of Koraput District and in Rayagada District cultivated on hilly sides i.e called as shifting cultivation. In generally it is known as PODU CHASA which to lives and livelihood of tribal people of Bondo, Koya, Gadaba, Paroja, LanjiaSaura, Kondha, KutiaKondha, dangriaKandha and Parenga of kolhaetc.All these tribes have a very low economic status. Topographically about 85% of the total area of the District is hilly. Due to lack of ownership of the land and lands are left for natural regeneration having no treatment to improve the fertility of the degraded land and becomes soil erosi newline