CH 8 RURAL LIVELIHOODS

state of IndiaNagaland, state of India, lies in the hills and mountains of northeastern part of the country. It is one of the smaller states of India.

Agriculture being the main occupation, more than 80 per cent of the Naga people are subsistence farmers, who practises jhum cultivation and the Naga way of life revolves around this system of cultivation which governs most of their life, culture and tradition.

InceptisolsThe most important type of soil that covers about 66 percent of the land area of Nagaland are the Inceptisols. The soil textures consists of fine clay, clay loamy and the fine loamy clay.

Nagaland is known for its exquisite bamboo and cane products, weaving and wood carving. The most important works of art and crafts exist in the form of Basketry, Weaving, Woodcarving, Pottery, Metal work, Jewellery and Beadwork. Dance and music are essential parts of Nagaland’s culture.

Tai ahei bola ase. What is your name?

With a whopping number of different tribes and the cultural diversity that they bring, there is little wonder in the fact that Nagaland is famous as the ‘Land of Festivals‘. With each tribe practising its own rituals and traditions, Nagaland is a state that has one major festival lined up for all months of a …

What is Nagaland known for? Read More »

What it is. Contouring means farming with row patterns nearly level around a hill – not up and down hill. The rows form hundreds of small dams that slow water flow and increase infiltration to reduce erosion.

Answer: The main difference between contour ploughing and terrace farming is the way in which the water flow is controlled. Contour ploughing controls the water flow by cutting furrows into the slope of the land. Terrace farming controls the water flow by creating level platforms on the slope of the land.

How does terrace farming prevent soil erosion? In fact, terraces break the slope, splitting one big slope into several smaller ones, making it less steep, and the force of water due to gravitation is less destructive. However, this is not the only way of terracing to prevent soil erosion.

These degraded landscapes may have negative effects on ecosystems and pose a threat to human wellbeing. In many regions, the abandonment of terraces due to socioeconomic development, has increased water and soil erosion as well as the risk of slope collapse.