Question

Statement 1: The British imposed rules prohibiting grazing in all forests.
Statement 2: The pastoralists who violated these rights were hanged.

• A. Statement 1 is true
• B. Statement 2 is true
• C. Both statements are true
• D. Both statements are false.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Both statements are false.

A few forests producing deodar or sal trees were declared as Reserved Forests. These trees were considered valuable timber by the British. So, pastoralists were not allowed to enter these forests. Other forests were declared as protected. This resulted in pastoralists being allowed to graze their herds in these protected forests, in line with their customary grazing rights, but with severe restrictions on their movement. A Forest Department permit specified and controlled forest entry and exit timings of the pastoralists. They regulated even the number of days they could spend in the forests. If they overstayed, they were liable to pay fines.