Question

How the Dutch changed the natural landscape and village life of Java by the introduction of scientific forestry?

Answer 1

Answer :

Dutch Scientific Forestry changed the landscape of Java and its people in following ways:

• In the 19th century, the Dutch enacted forest laws in Java, restricting villagers’ access to forests.

• The wood could be cut only for specified purposes like making river boats or constructing houses from specific forests under close supervision.

• Villagers were punished for grazing cattle in new forests, for transporting wood without a permit or travelling on forest roads with horse carts or cattle.

• The Dutch initially imposed rent on lands being cultivated in the forest and later on exempted those villages when the villagers provided free labour and buffaloes for cutting and transporting timber

• Even later on, instead of rent exemption, the forest villagers to cultivate forest land, were given small wages.