British Forest Policies and Their Impact

In 1865, the British imposed the Indian Forest Act, severely affecting the livelihoods of forest-dwelling tribes in India. The Act banned essential practices like woodcutting, hunting, and shifting cultivation, forcing many tribes to change occupations or rebel. While the British benefited from timber for ships and railways, the Act devastated the forest tribes, leading to rebellions and significant socio-economic changes.

What was the primary reason the British valued forests?

• For recreational purposes

• For timber to build ships and railways

• For their biodiversity

• For providing daily needs like fuel and fodder

Which trees were most popular for the British in the forests?

• Maple and birch

• Pine and oak

• Teak and sal

• Bamboo and cedar

What activities were banned by the British in the forests?

• Photography and painting

• Bird watching and hiking

• Cutting wood and grazing cattle

• Fishing and swimming

Which animals were forest tribes banned from hunting?

• Elephants and lions

• Deer and rabbits

• Wolves and foxes

• Tigers and bears

What was shifting cultivation?

• A method of permanent farming

• An agricultural system where land is cultivated temporarily

• A modern farming practice

• A technique for growing timber

Why was shifting cultivation banned by the British?

• It led to forest fires and soil erosion

• It was too profitable for the tribes

• It was a modern technique

• It was easy to tax

What were the two options left for the tribes after the Indian Forest Act?

• Migrate to cities or continue their practices

• Change occupation or rebel

• Seek help from other countries or adapt

• Join the British or leave the country

Where were some tribes forced to work after changing their occupation?

• In government offices

• In the military

• In tea and coffee plantations, mines, and factories

• In schools and hospitals

What was the impact of the Indian Forest Act on the forest dwellers?

• It improved their living conditions

• It provided them with new opportunities

• It was a bane for them

• It had no impact

How did the Indian Forest Act benefit the British?

• By reducing their expenses

• By providing timber for ships and railways

• By increasing biodiversity

• By improving relations with the tribes