Question

how was java, an indonesian island, taken over by dutch and how were its forests affected ?

Answer 1

The skilled forest cutters of Java were in great demand in 18th century. They were known as Kalangs. They were also involved in shifting cultivation.The Dutch slowly began gain to control over the forest area of Java. The Dutch tried to make the Kalangs work under their supervision. In 1770, the Kalangs resisted by attacking the fort Joana. The Dutch enacted the Forest laws in Java. According to this law, the wood could only be cut for specified purposes like for making river boats or for constructing houses and only from specified forests under close supervision of Dutch officials. Villagers were punished for grazing their cattle in young stands, transporting wood without permit and travelling in forest areas with horse carts. 
Then the Dutch imposed a system called 'Blandongdiensten'. The Dutch first imposed rent on land being cultivated in the forest and then exempted some villagers from these rents if they worked collectively to provide free labour and buffaloes for cutting and transporting timber. This system was known as Blandongdiensten system. Later, instead of rent exemption the forest villagers were given small wages,but their right to cultivate the forest land was restricted.