Question

Explain any three causes of deforestation in india under the colonial rule

Answer 1

Factors that led to deforestation are -

1) In 1600 approximately one-sixth of india 's landmass was under cultivation. Now that figure has gone upto about half [i.e 3/6] . As population increased over the years, demand for food went up.

2) Peasants extended the boundaries of cultivation, clearing forests & breaking new land.

3) In the colonial period, cultivation expanded for a variety of reasons:
* The British encouraged the production of crops like cotton, jute, sugar, etc. as the demand for these crops increased in Europe.
* The colonial state thought that forests were unproductive, the forestland had to be brought under cultivation so that land could yield revenue.

4) Between 1880 & 1920 cultivated area rose by 6.7 million hectares.

5) Large areas of natural forests were also cleared to make way for tea, coffee & rubber plantations to meet Europe 's growing need.

6) The colonial govt. took over the forests & gave vast areas to European planters at cheap rates. These areas were enclosed & cleared of forests, & planted with tea or coffee.

7) In 1850s, in the Madras Presidency alone 35,000 trees were being cut annualy for sleepers [ to fulfill the need of Railways].

Answer 2

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Explain any three causes of deforestation in india under the colonial rule

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The British encouraged the production of commercial crops like jute, sugar, wheat and cotton. The production of foodgrains was needed to feed the growing urban population and raw material was required for British industries in Britain.

The British thought that forests were unproductive. They were of the view that space covered with forests could be used for cultivation which could fetch them revenue and enhance the’ income of the state also.

Main causes of deforestation are:

1. Increase in population  

2. Britishers turned forest into agricultural land for  

   revenue  

3. Demand for commercial crops  

4. Export of timber from India  

5. Spread of railways

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