1. Why were forests important to the British?
Answer:
Forests were important to the British because:
- They needed timber for railways, shipbuilding, and furniture.
- Forests provided raw materials for industries.
- Clearing forests allowed the British to set up plantations for tea, coffee, and rubber.
2. What is ‘scientific forestry’?
Answer:
Scientific forestry was a system introduced by the British where:
- Natural forests were cut down.
- Only one type of tree (like teak or sal) was replanted in a systematic way.
- Forests were managed for maximum timber production.
- Local people were banned from using forest products.
3. How did the Forest Act of 1878 affect villagers?
Answer:
The Forest Act of 1878 divided forests into:
- Reserved forests (most restricted),
- Protected forests, and
- Village forests.
Impact on villagers:
- They lost grazing rights, could not collect firewood, fruits, or hunt.
- Tribal people became criminals if they used forest resources.
- Many were forced into poverty or migration.
4. What is shifting cultivation? Why was it banned by the British?
Answer:
Shifting cultivation is a traditional farming method where:
- A patch of forest is cleared and burnt.
- Crops are grown for a few years, then farmers move to a new patch.
British banned it because:
- They believed it caused deforestation.
- It made it harder to manage and protect forests scientifically.
- They wanted to control land and force tribals to work in plantations or forest departments.
5. Who were the Kalangs of Java?
Answer:
The Kalangs were a skilled forest tribe of Java (Indonesia) under Dutch rule.
- They were expert woodcutters and built palaces for kings.
- In 1770, they rebelled against Dutch control but were crushed.
- Later, they were forced into free labor (blandongdiensten) by the Dutch.
6. How did forest laws impact women?
Answer:
Women were badly affected because:
- They collected firewood, fodder, fruits, herbs, and medicinal plants from forests.
- Forest laws restricted access, so they had to walk longer distances.
- They faced fines and harassment for collecting forest produce.
7. What was blandongdiensten in Java?
Answer:
Blandongdiensten was a system of forced labor in Java during Dutch rule.
- Villagers had to cut trees, transport timber, and work for free or low wages.
- It was used to control forests and extract resources cheaply.
8. Why did tribal people rebel against colonial forest policies?
Answer:
Tribal people rebelled because:
- They lost traditional rights and access to forests.
- They were forced to work under harsh conditions.
- Their livelihood and cultural practices were destroyed.
- Example: Bastar Rebellion (1910) and Kalangs’ Revolt (1770).
9. What was the Bastar Rebellion?
Answer:
The Bastar Rebellion occurred in 1910 in Chhattisgarh against British forest laws.
- Tribals were angry over forest restrictions and forced labor.
- They attacked British officials and burnt police stations.
- The rebellion was brutally suppressed, but it showed tribal resistance to colonial policies.
10. Name any two forest communities in India.
Answer:
Two Indian forest communities are:
- Baigas of Madhya Pradesh
- Karbis of Assam
They practiced shifting cultivation and lived by collecting forest produce.