Tuesday, 19 November 2019

Cl 9 History Forest Society and Colonialism

6. How did commercial farming lead to decline in forest cover during colonial period?

Ans. The factors which led to deforestation during the colonial rule are as follows:
(a) The British encouraged the production of commercial crops like wheat, sugar, jute and cotton. The demands for these crops increased in the 19th century Europe because food grains were needed to feed the growing Urban population and raw materials required for growing industries.
(b) in the 19th century the colonial government thought that forests were unproductive. The land had to be brought under cultivation which would increase food production and revenue.
(c) The oak forests were fast depleting. It became a problem to supply timber for the Royal Navy. Ships could not be built without a regular supply of timber. By 1820 search parties were sent to explore forest resources in India. Trees were being cut on a large scale and exported to England.
(d) Wood was needed as fuel to run locomotives and to lay sleepers which could hold the railway tracks. As early as 1850, 3500 trees were cut annually in Madras presidency for sleepers.
(e) Large areas of forests were cleared to make way for tea, coffee and rubber plantations.

7. Why was Dietrich Brandis invited by the British government? What steps were taken by him to protect forests?

Ans. The Britishers feared that the reckless felling and cutting of trees by traders destroyed the forests. So they invited Dietrich Brandis for advice and made him the first Inspector General of Forests in India.
The steps taken by Brandis to protect the forest were:
(a) A proper system was adopted to manage forest and people to conserve forests.
(b) Rules about the use of forest resources were framed.
(c) Felling of trees and grazing of land was restricted so that forests could be used for timber production.
(d) Anyone who did not follow the system was punished. Brandis set up the Indian Forest service in 1864.

8. 'The new forest laws changed the lives of forest dwellers.' How?
Ans. The forest laws changed the lives of forest dwellers significantly. Before the forest laws many people who lived in or near the forests lived by hunting deer, partridges and a number of small animals. The customary right of the forest dwellers was prohibited by the forests law. They were punished for poaching, if caught hunting.
Hunting of big game became a sport under colonial rule. Hunting increased so much, that various species became extinct. British believed large animals were a sign of primitive society and by killing dangerous animals they would civilize India. People were rewarded for killing tigers, wolves  and other animals because they were a threat to the cultivators.

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