Question

What are the five main cause of deforestation in india during colonial period?

Answer 1

 The disappearance of forests is referred to as deforestation. Deforestation is not a recent problem, the process began many centuries ago ; but under colonial rule it became more systematic & extensive. 

Factors that led to deforestation are - 

1) In 1600 approximately one-sixth of india 's landmass was under cultivation. Now that figure has gone upto about half [i.e 3/6] . As population increased over the years, demand for food went up. 

2) Peasants extended the boundaries of cultivation, clearing forests & breaking new land. 

3) In the colonial period, cultivation expanded for a variety of reasons: 
* The British encouraged the production of crops like cotton, jute, sugar, etc. as the demand for these crops increased in Europe. 
* The colonial state thought that forests were unproductive, the forestland had to be brought under cultivation so that land could yield revenue. 

4) Between 1880 & 1920 cultivated area rose by 6.7 million hectares. 

5) Large areas of natural forests were also cleared to make way for tea, coffee & rubber plantations to meet Europe 's growing need. 

6) The colonial govt. took over the forests & gave vast areas to European planters at cheap rates. These areas were enclosed & cleared of forests, & planted with tea or coffee. 

7) In 1850s, in the Madras Presidency alone 35,000 trees were being cut annualy for sleepers [ to fulfill the need of Railways].