Question

What is ‘Scientific Forestry’? How it affected the lives of people in colonial India.

Answer 1

Instructions:

There should be at least 3 points here.

• Describe-
• Scientific forestry
• Villagers are directly dependent on forests
• Change in the Forests
• Changes in their lifestyle-hunting and fishing were restricted; people were forced to steal; people were harassed.

Solution:

• Scientific forestry is the term used for forestry when varieties of trees are cut down from a forest to grow only one variety of tree. During colonial India, the British wanted a supply of timber from India to build their railways. For this purpose, they supported the growth of sal trees which could be used as timber. However, the villagers who lived in these forests had a different take on this. The villagers were dependent on the forest and its products. They consumed fruits and used creepers for making rope.
• They preferred naturally growing varieties of trees in a forest. The Forest Act restricted the day-to-day activities of villagers. They were banned from entering the forest and other activities were also restricted. Due to this, the villagers were forced to steal things, and if caught, they were punished.
• They were even harassed by the police guards.