A tribal family in Bastar clears a forested plot, grows crops for two seasons, and then moves on to a new pat…

Question

A tribal family in Bastar clears a forested plot, grows crops for two seasons, and then moves on to a new patch. Why do they abandon the original plot rather than continuing to farm it?

Accepted Answer

## Model Answer They abandon the plot because **soil fertility decreases** after two seasons of cropping. Moving to a fresh patch allows nature to replenish the soil's fertility naturally. ## Explanation The key concept here is **shifting (slash and burn) cultivation**, called *Dipa* in Bastar. The textbook explicitly states: "When the soil fertility decreases, the farmers shift and clear a fresh patch of land for cultivation." For 1 mark, simply state the reason — declining soil fertility — and you will score full marks. Do not over-explain.

Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question