Abstract

Shifting cultivation is a form of land use among resource poor communities with a rotation of cultivation and fallow in the same unit of land. Millions of indigenous people are dependent on shifting cultivation practice, with majority households for subsistence living. This practice is in transition these days with rising population of shifting cultivators and demand for more food. This paper provides a review on shifting cultivation practice in the world with reference to Nepal, with an insight on emerging land use transition, its impacts and future priorities.

Key words: Shifting cultivation, biodiversity, fallow, climate change, Chepangs, Nepal.