Forest Society And Colonialism

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Deforestation is cutting down of trees indiscriminately in a forest area. Under the colonial rule, it became very systematic and extensive.

In 1600, approximately one-sixth of India is landmass was under cultivation.

Why Deforestation?

1. As population increased over the centuries and the demand for food went up, peasants extended the boundaries of cultivation by clearing forests.
2. The British encouraged the production of commercial crops like jute, sugar, wheat and cotton for their industries as raw material.

1. Large areas of natural forests were also cleared to make way for tea, coffee and rubber plantations to meet Europe is growing need for these commodities.
2. The colonial government took over the forests and gave vast areas to European planters at cheap rates.
3. These areas were enclosed and cleared of forests, and planted with tea or coffee.

Oak forests in England were disappearing. There was no timber supply for the shipbuilder industry. Forest resources of India were used to make ships for the Royal Navy.

The spread of railways required two things:

1. land to be cleared to lay railway tracks
2. wood as fuel for locomotives and for railway line sleepers