The Impact of Colonialism

on Forest Societies
 Tropical evergreen forests
Tropical evergreen forests are a unique ecosystem with diverse flora and fauna.
These forests are characterized by high rainfall (at best more than 200 cm) , high
humidity, and a dense canopy. The forests of India have been subjected to
deforestation under colonial rule due to various reasons such as commercial
exploitation, conversion of forests into agricultural lands, and infrastructure
development. Some of the commercially important trees are ebony, mahogany,
rosewood, rubber and cinchona. Some commonly found animals are elephants,
monkey, lemur, deer, one-horned rhinoceroses, plenty of birds, bats, sloths,
scorpions and snails.
 Flora Fauna

Rosewood

Elephant
One-horned Rhino
Rubber

Scorpions Snails
 Characteristics of Tropical Evergreen Forests

Biodiversity Climate Canopy

Tropical evergreen These forests The dense canopy of
forests are known for experience high levels these forests blocks out
their high biodiversity, of rainfall and humidity, most of the sunlight,
with a wide variety of with temperatures creating a dark and
flora and fauna species. ranging from 20-28°C. humid environment on
the forest floor.
Reasons of Deforestation Under Colonial Rule
During the colonial rule in India, deforestation was rampant
due to several reasons. One of the main reasons was the need
for timber for the construction of railways and ships. The
British also established large-scale tea and coffee plantations,
which required clearing of forests. Additionally, the British
imposed a system of revenue collection that required peasants
to pay taxes in cash, leading to the conversion of forests into
farmland for cash crops like Jute, Sugar, Wheat, and Cotton.
 Forest-based Rebellions

The forest societies of India have a long history of

resistance against colonialism. The Santhal rebellion
of 1855-56 and the Bastar rebellion of 1910-11 are
examples of forest-based rebellions. The Bastar
rebellion was led by Gundadhur, a tribal leader who
fought against the British for the protection of forests
and the rights of the tribal people.
 Forest Based Rebellions
Causes of Rebellion
The forest communities in India were
deeply affected by the colonial rule,
which led to the loss of their traditional
rights and livelihoods. The British
introduced policies that allowed them to
exploit the natural resources of the
forests, leading to large-scale
deforestation and displacement of the
forest communities.
•Clearing of forests for commercial
plantations and mining activities.
•Introduction of forest laws that
criminalized traditional practices of the
forest communities.
•Forced displacement of forest
communities from their ancestral lands.
Forest-Based Rebellions
The forest communities in India resisted
the colonial rule and the exploitation of
their resources through various forms of
rebellion. These rebellions were often
led by charismatic leaders who
mobilized the forest communities
against the British authorities and their
local collaborators.
•Birsa Munda's rebellion in Chotanagpur
in the late 19th century.
•The Santhal rebellion in 1855-56 in
present-day Jharkhand.
•The Bastar rebellion in 1910-11 led by
Gundadhur.
Case Study: Bastar Rebellion
The Bastar rebellion was one of the largest forest-
based rebellions in India, led by the charismatic
leader Gundadhur. The rebellion was a response to
the British policies of commercial exploitation of
the forests and the displacement of the forest
communities. Gundadhur mobilized the forest
communities and launched a guerrilla war against
the British authorities and their local collaborators.
•Gundadhur's leadership and charisma played a
crucial role in mobilizing the forest communities
and launching the rebellion.
•The rebellion was a response to the British policies
of commercial exploitation of the forests and the
displacement of the forest communities.
•The rebellion was ultimately suppressed by the
British authorities, but it had a significant impact
on the forest communities and their struggle for
rights and recognition.
 Case Study of Bastar, Role of Gundadhur

Overview Deforestation Forest-Based

Bastar is a region in
central India that and Rebellions
As a result of these policies,
was heavily Displacement forest societies in Bastar
impacted by Under colonial rule,
colonialism and began to organize and
forests in Bastar were
deforestation. The resist against colonial rule.
exploited for their
local forest societies Gundadhur was one of the
resources, including
were forced to give key leaders in these
timber and minerals.
up their traditional rebellions, advocating for
This led to widespread
practices and the rights of forest
deforestation and
resources, leading communities and
displacement of local
to widespread challenging the British
communities who
poverty and authorities. Despite facing
relied on the forests for
displacement. One significant challenges and
their livelihoods. The
key figure in the repression, these rebellions
British also imposed
resistance against ultimately played a role in
strict regulations on
colonial rule was the eventual independence
forest access, which
Gundadhur, a leader of India and the recognition
further marginalized
who fought for the of forest communities'
forest societies and
rights of forest rights.
disrupted their
communities. traditional practices.
Gundadhu
r
 Impact of Human Activities on the Forests of
Java
The forests of Java have been subjected to various human activities such as
logging, mining, and agriculture. These activities have led to deforestation,
soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity. The impact of human activities on the
forests of Java is an example of how human actions can have a detrimental
effect on the environment.
The Kalangs of Java were a community of
skilled forest cutters and shifting
cultivators. In 1755 the Mataram kingdom
of Java split, the 6000 Kalang families
equally divided between the two kingdoms.
Without their help to harvest the teak it was
not possible for the kings to build their
palaces.
 Map work

Bastar
Java
Thankyou a presentation by,
Poorv Bedi