Rethinking Shifting Cultivation: How Alder Trees Sustain Land, Livelihoods, and Climate

The debate surrounding shifting cultivation has long raised questions about its sustainability, environmental effects, and economic feasibility. While some argue that it leads to deforestation and soil degradation, others emphasize its deep-rooted connection to traditional land management and biodiversity conservation. This book engages with this debate by presenting alder-based shifting cultivation as a practical and sustainable alternative, particularly in the context of Nagaland, India. This book examines the economic, environmental, and health advantages of alder-based farming. Integrating nitrogen-fixing alder trees into shifting cultivation improves soil fertility, reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers, captures carbon, and prevents land degradation. Additionally, this method provides long-term economic benefits by supporting sustainable livelihoods and strengthening food security for indigenous communities. India’s first green village Khonoma serves as an example of how traditional farming practices can be adapted to promote both agricultural productivity and environmental conservation. This book calls for policies that support and recognize sustainable indigenous farming methods as key to addressing climate change and promoting rural development.