Vikash Techno School, Jharsuguda

Class- IX
History and Civics
Ch-4, Forest Society and Colonialism

1.What is deforestation? How did cultivation expand rapidly during the colonial period?
Answer:
The disappearance of forests is referred to as deforestation. Cultivation expanded rapidly
during the colonial period in the following ways.
(a) The British encouraged the production of commercial crops like sugar, wheat, jute and
cotton.
(b) Large areas of forests, considered to be wilderness was brought under cultivation.
(c) Large areas of natural forests were also cleared to make way for tea, coffee and rubber
plantations to meet Europe’s growing need for these commodities

2.Explain the system of scientific forestry.

Answer

• Scientific forestry seeks to ensure that the different types of trees in a forest are cut down
and replaced by only one type of tree planted in straight rows.

• Forest officials surveyed the forests estimated the area under different types of trees and
planned how much of the plantation area to be cut every year.

• The area cut was then to be replanted so that it was ready to be cut again in some years.

3.Why did the British appoint the Inspector General of Forests in India? Explain any three
reasons.

Answer

• The British needed forests in order to build ships and railways.

• They were worried that the use of forests by local people and the reckless felling of trees by
traders would destroy forests.
• They wanted forests for the development of plantations.

4.State the reasons why Shifting cultivation was banned under European colonialism in India.

Answer

• European foresters felt that land used for cultivation every few years could not support trees
like Sal and Oak for railway timber.

• Also, when a forest was burnt, there was a danger of the flames spreading and burning
valuable timber.

• Shifting cultivation also made it harder for the government to calculate taxes

5. Who was Dietrich Brandis? Why was he invited to India? Mention his two major
contributions.

Answer
Dietrich Brandis was a German expert in forestry. He was invited to India by the British for
advice and help who were worried that the use of forests by local people and the reckless
felling of trees by traders would destroy forests.

His two major contributions are as follows:

• Scientific Forestry was introduced.

• He introduced a proper system to manage the forests.

• Rules about the use of forest resources were also laid down
6. How did the forest acts affect the lives of foresters and villagers
The daily practices of villagers such as cutting wood for their houses, hunting, fishing and
collecting fruits now become illegal.

• People were forced to steal wood from the forests and if caught were at the mercy of the
forest guards who would take bribes from them.

• It was common for police constables and forest guards to harass people.

7. What is shifting cultivation? Why did the British Government ban it ? Give any three
reasons.
Answer
Shifting agriculture is a traditional agricultural practice in many parts of Asia, Africa and South
America.

In shifting cultivation, parts of the forest are cut down and burnt in rotation. Seeds are sown in
the ashes after the first monsoon rains and the crop is harvested by October - November.

Colonial impacts on shifting agriculture:

• Europeans regarded this practice harmful for the forests. They felt that the burning down
forest would destroy timber and the dangerous flames would spread and burn valuable timber.

• Shifting cultivation made it harder for the government to calculate taxes, so British
government decided to ban shifting cultivation.

• As a result, many communities were forcibly displaced from their homes in forest.

• Some had to change occupations, while some resisted through large and small rebellions.