Question 3: Between 1880 and 1920, forest cover in the Indian subcontinent declined by 9.7 million hectares, from 108.6 million hectares to 98.9 million hectares. Discuss the role of the following factors in this decline:
! Railways
! Shipbuilding
! Agricultural expansion
! Commercial farming
! Tea/Coffee plantations
! Adivasis and other peasant users
Answer:
Railways: There was very huge demand of sleepers from the railways. In those days, sleeper classes seats were made from wood. Expansion of the railway network resulted in the large scale deforestation.
Shipbuilding: It was an important industry because ships were the integral part of the military power of the britishers. When the numerable oak tress sharply reduced in britain, Indian forests provided good sources of supply.
Agricultural expansion: The growing European population meant an increased demand for gaining of food. This resulted in expansion of cultivated land in India.
Commercial farming: There was much demand for several raw materials such as cotton, indigo for the expanding industries in britain. This could also become possible by deforestation.
Tea/coffee plantations: Demand for the tea and coffee also increased in Britain. So, the climate of north eastern india and the eastern coast was perfect for plantations.
Adivasis and other peasants user: Adivasis had always been the protectors of forests and thus, they had no role in deforestation. However some peasants may have utilized the opportunity to expand the cultivated land that had happened in java.
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