Question

Why were forests cleared off rapidly during the colonial period? Give two reasons.

Answer 1

The expansion of the railways became a necessity as trade and transport increased. Wood was needed as fuel to run the steam locomotives. Wood was also needed to lay railway line sleepers, which held the railway tracks together. So, forests were destroyed to provide the wood needed for the expansion of railways. The British government needed huge ships for its Royal Navy. Ships are built of strong, durable timber. When the oak forests in England began to disappear, the British attacked the forest resources in India. Vast quantities of timber were exported to England from India, for ship building, thus depleting forests in India.