Explain the provision of the Forest Act passed by the Dutch.
Answers
(a) The Dutch restricted the villagers’ access to forests.
(b) Wood could only be cut for specified purposes like making river boats or constructing houses and only from certain forests under close supervision.
(c) Villagers were punished for grazing cattle in young stands, transporting wood without a permit or travelling on forest roads with horse carts or cattle. '
The dutch controlled the forests in Indonesia and Java and it largely affected the lives of the people. Some of the provisions of Forest Act were as follows.
1) The Dutch made the forest laws which restricted the entry and use of the forests by the local people.
2) The dutch collected heavy rent from the people who cultivated in the forest.
3) Those who agreed to work for the forest department, were exempted from taxation but they were treated as bonded labours.
4) Grazing in the forest was banned and shifting cultivation was restricted.
5) Wood could be collected only for specific purposes like ship building, construction of houses etc. The wood could be collected only from certain forests and under close supervision.
6) Severe punishment were given to those who violated the laws.