Question

why did the expansion of railwaysvin india in the 1860 's cause a largescale deforestation ?

Answer 1

Railways were the essential features of colonial government because railways in india connected the raw material soutces to the ports of India from where these raw material were being exported to England to fuel the production process in their factories.Railways were mainly used by british for to carry out their trade operation efficiently and at reduced cost .The two factors responsible for the deforestation are 1.For the expansion of railways the requirement for wood increased as result of which forest were being cut down to fulfill the demand for timber which was required in railways.2.Timber was also used in the ship building process hence in order to construct more ships and transport more good timber was cut on large scale leading to deforestation.

The Railways was started in India in 1850 and the first train ran from Mumbai to Thane in 1853. This network was started by the British East India Company and later taken forward by the Colonial British Government. The main objectives for setting up the Railways in India was for troop movements to fight the various wars of the British and for the transportation of cotton to the ports for forward shipment to the spinning and weaving mills in the U.K. Only after independence would the Government of India utilise this wonderful network for the primary objectives of carrying passengers and goods across India.Deforestation over the ages has been the result of wanton colonisation, agricultural expansion, unplanned industrialisation, timber harvesting and firewood collection. At the early stage, the requirement of Railway sleepers demanded intense deforestation.   mark as BRAINLIEST