January 25: The age-old practice of shifting cultivation is slowly dying in Dechhenling geog under Pemagatshel. It is slowly being replaced by orange cultivation.

Shifting cultivation is a farming method in which farmers clear a large tract of forest to grow crops. They use the area for a few years and then move on to another area.

Also known as slash and burn, it is an environmentally destructive method of farming.

It is at one time commonly practiced by the people of Dechhenling geog in Pemagatshel. It is now practiced only by a handful of people. Farmers grow crops like maize and millet, mostly for their own consumption. The tradition is now slowly dying with more and more farmers planting cash crops like oranges.

The Mangi Ap Dechen Dorji said the practice is disappearing over the years. He said farmers are not allowed to practice shifting cultivation without prior approval from forest officials and geog administration.

The geog which is three hours walking distance from the road has over 500 households.