In which Union Territory is the 'slash and burn' agriculture known as 'Dipa'?

Key Points

• Dipa is the term used for 'slash and burn' agriculture in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• 'Slash and burn' agriculture, also known as shifting cultivation, involves clearing a piece of land by cutting down and burning the vegetation, and then using the cleared land for farming.
• This agricultural practice is commonly seen among tribal communities in various regions, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The practice is traditionally followed by indigenous communities to cultivate crops for a few years until the soil fertility diminishes, after which they move to a new area.

Additional Information

• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands at the southeastern edge of the Bay of Bengal.
• The islands are home to several indigenous tribes, each with unique cultural practices and traditional agricultural methods.
• Shifting cultivation is a sustainable practice when done on a small scale and with sufficient fallow periods for the land to recover.
• However, large-scale and frequent shifting cultivation can lead to deforestation and soil degradation.