Chapter 4 Forest Society and Colonialism

Shifting cultivators
New forests laws got banned shifting cultivation. For shifting cultivators it was very devastating because it a problem for their survival. Many of them were forced to migrate or start some other occupations. Many other were forced to work in the plantations of tea. Normadic and pastoralist communities, grazing of animals was banned under new forest laws. It made the life of pastoralist communities difficult. Herbs of animals were their only sources of livelihood. The nomadic communities were announced as criminal communities. Firms trading in timber/forest produces Because of huge demand of timber that was boon for the timber merchants. They must have seen good growth in their incomes. Plantation owners Land was given at the lower rates to the plantation owners. Labour was also made available to them at very low wages. Moreover new policies were also made that prevented the workers from going back to their home villages. Kings/british officials engaged in shikar Killing of ferocious animals such as tiger or wolves that were monetarily rewarded. Moreover hunting was considered as a sign of bravely and valour.

There were some similarities in the colonial management of forests in bastar and java. In both the cases, the traditional rights of forest dwellers were taken far away and they were forced to work with their colonial masters. Large scale deforestation took places and felled tress was replaced with the monocultural plantations.

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.

The two world wars had major impacts on the forests. More trees were cut to meet the wartime requirements to britian. In java, the dutch accompanied scorched earth policy just before the Japanese occupation of the region. They destroyed sawmills and burnt huge piles of giant teak logs during the war. The Japanese continued exploration of the forests. They forced forest villagers to cut down trees of the forests. For many villagers it was an opportunity to expand the cultivated area.