Question

why did the colonial rulers considered the forest as unproductive

Answer 1

The colonial rulers considered forests as unproductive because: They considered cultivated lands as sign of progress and not nature in its natural self. ... They thought that the use of forests by local people and the reckless felling of trees by traders would destroy forests.

Answer 2

because they considered cultivated land as sign of progress and not nature in its natural self. forests were considered to be wilderness which was of no use to humans.......needed forests in order to build ships and railways.