Question

How did the villagers and foresters differ in the ideas of a good forest?

Answer 1

(i) After the Forest Act was enacted in $1865$, the forest department wanted trees which were suitable for building ships or railways. They needed trees that could provide hard wood, and were tall and straight. So particular species like teak and sal were promoted and others were cut.

(ii) The villagers on the other hand wanted forests with a mixture of species to satisfy different needs - fuel, fodder, leaves.