how did the forest act caused severe hard shift for villages across the country
Answers
The Forest Act in India was passed in 1865. It divided the forests into three categories - reserved forests, protected forests and village forests. The Act affected the lives of the villagers and forest dwellers in the following ways:-
1) The Forest Act posed many problems to the villagers. Their activities of cutting wood, hunting, fishing and collecting fruits became illegal.
2) As a result, they were forced to steal wood from the forests and if caught they were left at the the mercy of the forest guards.
3) There was shortage of leaves which were used to feed the cattle and blow fire and keep themselves warm in the winter.
4) Rainfall occurred less due to cutting of trees.
5) Women were left vulnerable in the villages.
6) The police constables and forest guards harassed the villagers.