Forest Society and Colonialism

Introduction

• Why deforestation

• The Rise of Commercial Forestry

• Rebellion in the Forest

• Forest Transformations in Java

WHY DEFORESTATION?

• Dependency on Forests

• 1. Land to be improved

• 2. Sleepers on the Tracks

• 3. Plantations

WHY DEFORESTATION?

• Land to be improved:

a) Population explosion demands food to feed

b) To cultivate food peasants extended the boundaries

of cultivation, clearing forests and breaking new land

c) Colonial period

British encouraged production of commercial crops

In early 19th cent the colonial state thought that forests were unproductive

SLEEPERS ON TRACKS

Sleepers on Tracks (Wooden planks laid across railway

tracks; they hold the tracks in position)

1) In early 19th cent Oak forests in England supplied

timber to British Royal Navy

2) Search parties were sent to explore the forest

resources of India

3) The spread of railways from 1850 for colonial trade and

for the movement of troops.

4) Rapid spread of railways tracks swallowed trees

PLANTATIONS

1. Large areas of natural forests were also cleared to

make way for Tea, Coffee & Rubber Plantations to

meet Europe’s growing need for these commodities.

2. Colonial Govt took over the forests and gave vast

areas to European planters at cheap rates.