Forest Society and Colonialism
Introduction
The chapter “Forest Society and Colonialism” explains how forests were affected by colonial rule, how forest communities lived, and how the British forest policies changed their lives. The chapter also includes the impact in India and Java (Indonesia).
Why Forests Were Important to Colonial Powers
- Forests were a source of timber, especially teak used in shipbuilding and later for railway sleepers.
- Forests were cleared for commercial farming, plantations, and railways.
- Forests helped in earning revenue and controlling land.
Colonial Impact on Forests
1. Commercial Logging and Railways
- British needed timber for railway construction after the 1850s.
- Forests were cut rapidly; natural forests were replaced by plantations of single species.
2. Plantations
- Tea, coffee, and rubber plantations were set up by clearing large forest areas.
- British encouraged European companies to grow commercial crops.
Scientific Forestry
- A system introduced by the British, where:
- Forests were cut in planned cycles.
- Only specific types of trees (like sal and teak) were replanted.
- Local people were banned from accessing the forests freely.
Result:
- Biodiversity declined
- Tribal rights were restricted
Forest Laws and Their Impact
The Indian Forest Act (1865, revised 1878 and 1927)
- Divided forests into:
- Reserved Forests (no access to villagers)
- Protected Forests
- Village Forests
Effect on Tribals and Villagers:
- Banned from:
- Collecting wood, fruits, and honey
- Hunting and grazing cattle
- Led to poverty, migration, and rebellion
Shifting Cultivation (Swidden Agriculture)
- A farming method where trees are cut and burnt to make the land fertile.
- Practiced by tribal groups like Baigas of Madhya Pradesh and Karbis of Assam.
- British banned it, thinking it was harmful to forests.
Tribal Communities and Rebellion
- Forest dwellers were forced to work in plantations and forests under bad conditions.
- Revolts broke out, such as:
- Bastar Rebellion (1910) in Chhattisgarh
- Santhal Revolt
Forest Society in Java (Indonesia)
Colonial Rule by the Dutch
- Like the British, the Dutch imposed forest laws and banned shifting cultivation.
- Tribes like the Kalangs resisted:
- Skilled forest cutters of Java
- Rebelled in 1770, but were suppressed
Dutch System of Forest Control:
- Villagers had to rent forest land or work for the government.
- Introduced blandongdiensten: forced labor for forest cutting.
Resistance to Colonial Forest Policies
- Tribal groups protested forest restrictions.
- Used fire, attacked officials, or migrated to escape British control.
- In Java, forest crimes were common as people broke laws to survive.
Important Terms
- Scientific Forestry: British method of controlled logging and tree planting.
- Reserved Forest: Most restricted forest category under British law.
- Shifting Cultivation: Traditional slash-and-burn agriculture.
- Kalangs: Forest cutting tribe of Java.
- Blandongdiensten: Forced labor system under Dutch.
Conclusion
British and Dutch forest policies transformed forest societies. Their focus on timber and control led to the displacement of tribal communities, destruction of biodiversity, and widespread resistance. Understanding this chapter helps us reflect on colonial exploitation of natural resources and indigenous people.