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| 1. |
What are the causes of deforestation between 1700 and 1995 |
| Answer» Causes of deforestation during colonial rule in India are:1) British encouraged the production of commercial crops-*during the colonisation of India, British promoted the production of commercial crops like jute,sugar and cotton.*As food grains were need to feed rising urban population and raw-material was required for industrial production, the demand for these crops increased in the nineteenth-century Europe.2) Forests were unproductive*The British considered the forests as un-productive.*By the early 19th century, they began to bring the forest land under cultivation so that the revenue and agricultural produce could benefit them.3) Disappearing Oak trees in England*As the Oak trees started disappearing from England it raised a severe problem for them, as they supplied to the Navy for building ships.*By the 1820s, search parties were sent to explore the forest resources in India.*Slowlt Timber began to be exported to Britain in vast quantities.4) The spread of railways from 1850s*In 1850s, the introduction of railways to India created a new demand for Timber.*Britishers needed Railway for India for the movement of colonial troops and trade.*To run locomotives, wood was needed as fuel, and to lay railway lines, sleepers were essential to hold the tracks together.*And in those days sleepers were made out of wood.*As the railways spread in India, large number of trees were cut down.5) Emergence of Plantations*The colonial government took over the forest area and began giving it on contract to the European planters at a cheaper rate.*These contractors began cutting trees indiscriminately. | |