Question

How did commercial farming led to a decline in forests cover during colonial period?

Answer 1

During the period of colonial government the British believed that forest were unproductive and forest land can be used for growing commercial crops like jute,wheat,cotton.
Therefore forest were cut down for commercial farming.

Answer 2

Before colonial period India had nearly 1/3 of the total land area under forest cover which rapidly declined. The colonial state presumed that forest areas of no use/unproductive, so they planned for the commercial crops ta, Jute, Sugar, Cotton, Indigo, by clearing thick forests of West Bengal and Bihar.

These were the main reasons for the decline in forest covered area during colonial period in early 19“1 century (1 880-1920)

(a) Trees were cut down to make way for plants of one type of trees in straight rows and the British encouraged plantation of Tea, Coffee and Rubber. Indian farmers also cleared forest for the commercial crops so that they can earn more income.

(b) The Britishers exported expensive wood of teak, Oak, Sal trees which had great demand in England because the wood of these forests were strong and durable and Britishers easily found these in abundance in India. The Britishers exported Timber, Oak, Sheesham and teak wood for Royal Navy to make strong ships.

(c) Expansion of Railway was another reason for clearing forests. A large number of 'Sleepers’ were required for tracks; so the imperial power fulfilled the demand of wood for the tire, required for locomotives.

(d) As the population increased and the demand of food went up, the forests were cleared for the expansion of agricultural land.
Gradually, the colonial Government took over the forests and gave vast areas to European planters at cheap rates who cleared natural growth of trees rapidly in 19th century and planted tea and coffee at a mass scale.