Question

what were the similarities in the colonial forest policy in India and Indonesia? How would you look at the people`s reaction to the policies?

Answer 1

Some similarities between the colonial forest policy in India and Indonesia were

1. In both countries, the colonial governments sought access to forest resources to build ships and railway sleepers.

2. To obtain timber, the governments imposed laws restricting the customary rights of forest people over forest resources.

3. Both governments banned shifting cultivation and introduced scientific cultivation.

4. In both places, the governments allowed the forest tribes to stay in the forests in return for free labour to obtain timber.

In both countries, forest people revolted against the forest policies of the colonial governments. In India, there was a rebellion in Bastar while in Indonesia, there was a rebellion in Java.