Question

Which of the following statement(s) is/are true regarding the use of forests during the colonial rule in India?

• A. Decrease in timber trade
• B. Auctions for selling timber contracts
• C. Increase in deforestation
• D. Increase in total forest area

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

Increase in deforestation

Timber traders and forest contractors hired workers who cut wood in huge quantities for use in railways, buildings, mines, and ships. The British government held auctions to sell the contracts for cutting these forests and made huge profits. The demand for timber led to large scale deforestation and the forest area decreased.