In the Kayan region of Myanmar, villagers from Tha Yu Village burn dry trees on the mountains as part of an entrenched "slash-and-burn" agricultural practice. This method of growing food involves cutting down wild forests, letting the trees dry for several months, then setting fire to the desiccated vegetation to clear the land before planting rice and chili peppers. The technique, which has been passed down through generations and even has an annual festival devoted to it, increasingly raises concerns that it contributes to deforestation and air pollution. Still, farmers say they lack the technology and resources to switch to a more sustainable method. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES