Question

How did forest act affecter the lives of foresers and villagers?

Answer 1

The Forest Act in 1865 turned out to be terrible for villagers across the country. It affected their lives in the following ways:

• Their everyday practices like cutting wood for their houses, grazing their cattle, collecting fruits and roots, hunting and fishing became illegal

• People were now left with no alternative but forced to steal wood from the forests, and if they were caught, they were at the mercy of the forest guards who would take bribes from them.

• It was especially worrying for the women.

• There were cases of harassment by police constables and forest guards.