Traditional Ecological Farming Practices in the Eastern Himalayan Mountain Environment: Case of a Naga Village, Nagaland (India)

The farming systems practised by the tribal communities in the mountain environment of the North-Eastern region of India are eco-friendly and local climate responsive. These play a significant role in ensuring food security and conserving the local agro-ecological diversity. These farming practices are rooted in the local ecological set up, and they reflect the Indigenous people’s response to the environment of the area. The inhabitants of the Khonoma village of Kohima district, Nagaland, the study village, have been traditionally practising unique Alder tree-based jhum (shifting) cultivation, terrace-based panikheti (wet cultivation) and kitchen gardening based on their Indigenous knowledge and skills. They have been practising mixed farming by integrating crops, fish and livestock. The local communities have also evolved some methods for managing the natural settings to sustain their agriculture and livelihoods. This study is an attempt to investigate the methods of traditional farming system of Khonoma, a mountain village in the Eastern Himalayas. This study is based on primary data/ information collected through household survey using semi-structured household survey schedule, participatory rural appraisal (PRA), focus group discussion (FGD), and interviews with key informants and personal field visit in early 2021. The terrace-based panikheti, adopted by the people of Khonoma village, has been proved a location specific eco-friendly method for soil and water conservation. The Alder tree-based jhum practice, as opined by the villagers, is a sustainable livelihood option in the context of the mountain ecological setting and unique cultural values of the people.

印度东北部山地环境中，部落社群所践行的农耕体系兼具生态友好性与本地气候适配性。该类农耕体系对于保障区域粮食安全、保护本地农业生态多样性具有重要价值。这些农耕实践根植于本地生态格局，彰显了原住民对所在区域自然环境的适应智慧。研究村落为那加兰邦科希马县的科诺马村，当地居民历来依托本土知识与技艺，传承独具特色的桤木（Alder）轮垦（jhum）栽培、梯田式潘基赫蒂（panikheti，湿耕）以及庭院园艺实践。当地居民还通过整合作物种植、水产养殖与畜禽饲养，发展复合农耕模式。本地社群还摸索出一系列管护自然环境的方法，以维系农业生产与生计可持续性。本研究旨在探究东喜马拉雅山地村落科诺马的传统农耕体系模式。本研究的数据与信息采集于2021年初，通过半结构化家庭调查问卷、参与式乡村评估（PRA）、焦点小组讨论（FGD）、关键知情人访谈以及实地考察获取一手资料。科诺马村民所采用的梯田式潘基赫蒂耕作法，已被证实为适配本地、兼具水土保持功能的生态友好型耕作模式。据村民反馈，依托桤木的轮垦耕作法，在山地生态格局与当地独特文化语境下，是可持续的生计选择。