Globally, shifting cultivation is known to be an important driver of tropical deforestation. However, in this paper, we argue that it can be sustainably managed if the environmental boundary conditions, laid by the traditional customs and practices, are fully respected. We narrate an empirical study from the Zunheboto district of Nagaland, India, where we deployed a mixed research method to explore the Indigenous and Local Knowledge and Practices (ILKPs) associated with shifting cultivation (aka Jhum), particularly concerning farm-level practices, forest and biodiversity conservation, and disaster risk reduction measures. The research method included analysis of primary data obtained through Focus Group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (n = 21), and a questionnaire survey (n = 153) with Jhum farmers from two different age groups, i.e., below 50 years (middle-aged farmers) and above 50 years (older farmers). From the qualitative inquiry, we identified 15 ILKPs, which were then validated from survey responses. We used the Mann–Whitney U test to examine differences in agreement between two groups of framers. Based on this analysis, we conclude that upholding of the ILKPs holds strong potential for the local implementation of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly, SDG-1(No poverty), SDG-2 (Zero hunger), and SDG-15 (Life on land). However, eight of the identified ILKPs showed a statistically significant difference between older and middle-aged farmers, underlining a declining trend. Finally, we suggest suitable policy measures to mainstream ILKPs to balance the trade-offs in food production and biodiversity conservation, and to ensure the future sustainability of Jhum cultivation in the region and beyond.

在全球范围内，轮耕被认为是热带森林砍伐的重要驱动因素。然而，在本文中，我们认为，如果充分尊重传统习俗和实践所规定的环境边界条件，则可以进行可持续管理。我们讲述了印度那加兰邦 Zunheboto 地区的一项实证研究，我们在那里采用了混合研究方法来探索与轮耕（又名 Jhum）相关的土著和地方知识和实践（ILKP），特别是关于农场层面的实践、森林生物多样性保护和减少灾害风险措施。研究方法包括对通过焦点小组讨论 (FGD)、关键知情人访谈 ( n  = 21) 以及 对来自两个不同年龄组（即 50 岁以下）的 Jhum 农民进行问卷调查 ( n = 153) 获得的原始数据进行分析。中年农民）和50岁以上（老年农民）。从定性调查中，我们确定了 15 个 ILKP，然后从调查回复中对其进行了验证。我们使用曼-惠特尼 U 检验来检验两组制定者之间一致性的差异。基于这一分析，我们得出的结论是，坚持ILKP对于在当地实施多项可持续发展目标（SDG）具有巨大潜力，特别是SDG-1（无贫困）、SDG-2（零饥饿）和SDG-15 （陆地上的生活）。然而，八个已确定的ILKP在老年农民和中年农民之间表现出统计上的显着差异，突显了下降的趋势。最后，我们建议采取适当的政策措施，将ILKP纳入主流，以平衡粮食生产和生物多样性保护之间的权衡，并确保该地区及其他地区未来Jhum种植的可持续性。