The correct answer is: All of the above.
Jhum cultivation is a traditional agricultural practice in which farmers clear a patch of forest, cultivate it for a few years, and then abandon it to allow the forest to regenerate. This practice has been used for centuries in many parts of the world, including Manipur.
However, jhum cultivation has a number of negative environmental impacts. It can lead to soil erosion, deforestation, and the loss of wildlife habitats.
Soil erosion is the process of soil being carried away by wind or water. When a patch of forest is cleared for jhum cultivation, the soil is exposed to the elements. This can lead to the soil being washed away by rain or blown away by wind.
Deforestation is the removal of trees from an area. When a patch of forest is cleared for jhum cultivation, the trees are cut down and burned. This can lead to the loss of biodiversity and the disruption of the water cycle.
The loss of wildlife habitats is another negative impact of jhum cultivation. When a patch of forest is cleared for jhum cultivation, the animals that live in the forest are forced to find new homes. This can lead to the decline of wildlife populations.
In conclusion, jhum cultivation has a number of negative environmental impacts. It can lead to soil erosion, deforestation, and the loss of wildlife habitats. These impacts can have a significant impact on the environment and the people who live in the area.
Here are some additional details about each of the negative impacts of jhum cultivation:
- Soil erosion: Soil erosion is the process of soil being carried away by wind or water. When a patch of forest is cleared for jhum cultivation, the soil is exposed to the elements. This can lead to the soil being washed away by rain or blown away by wind. Soil erosion can lead to a number of problems, including the loss of topsoil, the degradation of agricultural land, and the siltation of rivers and streams.
- Deforestation: Deforestation is the removal of trees from an area. When a patch of forest is cleared for jhum cultivation, the trees are cut down and burned. This can lead to the loss of biodiversity and the disruption of the water cycle. Deforestation can also lead to a number of problems, including climate change, soil erosion, and the loss of wildlife habitats.
- Loss of wildlife habitats: The loss of wildlife habitats is another negative impact of jhum cultivation. When a patch of forest is cleared for jhum cultivation, the animals that live in the forest are forced to find new homes. This can lead to the decline of wildlife populations. The loss of wildlife habitats can also lead to a number of problems, including the loss of biodiversity, the disruption of the food chain, and the spread of diseases.