Question

Discuss the impact of colonialism on forest societies and the implication of scientific forestry.

Answer 1

1) Dietrich Brandis, the first Inspector General of Forests in India brought out a system called ‘scientific forestry’ where lots of various species of trees were cut down but only one type of trees were replanted instead.
2) The forests were divided into reserved forests, protected forests and village forests. Villagers could not take anything from the reserved forests which were the best one.
3) The growth of teak and sal was promoted and others were cut.
4) Their everyday practices such as cutting wood, grazing their cattle, hunting and fishing became illegal.
5) Forest guards would take bribes from people who steal wood from the forests and harass them by demanding free food.