RANGAMATI, Sept 15: The tribal people of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) are now busy in jhum cultivation.
The women and the small members of the tribal families have also joined the cultivation.
Jhum is a traditional cultivation of CHT. Different ethnic groups have been living here for long. They produce various crops, vegetables and fruits through this farming method round the year.
In the Bengali months of Poush and Magh, they clear the hills by removing jungle. In the Bengali months of Falgun and Chaitra, they set afire the hills, burning down the jungles to ashes. These ashes contain fertilisers which are necessary for growing various crops.
In the Bengali months of Baishakh and Jaistha, the tribal people sow the seeds of different crops, vegetables and fruits on the hills.
During the months of Bhadra and Ashwin, they harvest the crops.
While visiting, the roadside hills in Sadar Upazila were found with fully grown crop plants.
Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Rangamati Paban Kumar Chakma said the tribal people brought 230 hectares of land under jhum cultivation in the district this year. They cultivate various crops including 30 to 35 varieties of fruits on the hills.
He also said, "Many people say that jhum farming is harmful for hills, but it is the only livelihood for tribal people. We are trying to give improved training to the tribal farmers so that the jhum cultivation doesn't damage the environment. We also supply high yielding paddy seeds to the farmers so that they can get maximum output."
