NCERT Solutions Class 9 (social Science) History Chapter – 4 ‘Forest Society and Colonialism’ Quesiton Answer solutions
Q. 1. Discuss how the changes in forest management in the colonial period affected the following groups of people:
(a) Shifting cultivators
(b) Nomadic and pastoralist communities
(c)Firms trading in timber/forest produce
(d) Plantation owners
(e) Kings/British officials engaged in shikar (hunting)
Answer:-
Impact of Colonial Forest Management on Different Groups
During the colonial period, forest management policies were introduced to maximize timber extraction and regulate forest use. These changes had severe consequences for various groups dependent on forests.
1️⃣ Shifting Cultivators
🌾 Banned from practicing shifting cultivation, as British officials believed it harmed forests.
🚨 Displacement & loss of livelihood, forcing cultivators to become laborers or migrate.
🔥 Forest fires were feared, leading to strict regulations against traditional farming methods.
2️⃣ Nomadic & Pastoralist Communities
🐄 Restricted grazing rights, reducing access to forest lands.
🚧 Forced to settle, disrupting their traditional way of life.
📜 Declared “criminal tribes”, leading to surveillance and control over their movements.
3️⃣ Firms Trading in Timber/Forest Produce
🏭 European timber firms gained monopoly rights, while local traders were restricted.
🚫 Strict forest laws prevented free collection of forest products.
💰 Commercial forestry expanded, benefiting British industries but harming local economies.
4️⃣ Plantation Owners
🌱 Large forest areas were cleared for tea, coffee, and rubber plantations.
💵 European planters received land at cheap rates, while locals lost access to forests.
🚧 Plantations were fenced off, preventing traditional forest use.
5️⃣ Kings & British Officials Engaged in Hunting
🏹 Hunting became a sport, leading to mass killing of wildlife.
🐅 Tigers, elephants, and other animals were hunted extensively, pushing some species toward extinction.
🚫 Forest dwellers were banned from hunting, while British officials enjoyed unrestricted access.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Colonial policies disrupted traditional forest livelihoods.
✅ European firms & plantation owners benefited, while locals suffered.
✅ Wildlife was exploited, leading to ecological damage.
Q. 2. What are the similarities between colonial management of the forests in Bastar and in Java?
Answer:-
Similarities Between Colonial Forest Management in Bastar and Java
The British in Bastar (India) and the Dutch in Java (Indonesia) implemented similar forest management policies to control and exploit forest resources. These policies affected local communities and transformed traditional forest use.
1️⃣ Strict Forest Laws
📜 Both colonial powers enacted forest laws that restricted local access to forests.
🚫 Villagers were fined or punished for collecting wood or forest products without permission.
2️⃣ Scientific Forestry & Commercial Timber Extraction
🌲 Scientific forestry was introduced, allowing only selected trees to be cut for timber.
🏭 Forests were exploited for commercial purposes, mainly for railway sleepers and shipbuilding.
3️⃣ Forced Labor & Exploitation
🚧 In Bastar, some villagers were allowed to stay in forests if they provided free labor for timber firms.
🔨 In Java, the Dutch introduced the Blandongdiensten system, where villagers had to provide free labor and buffaloes for timber extraction.
4️⃣ Resistance & Revolts
🔥 Local communities resisted colonial forest policies in both regions.
⚔️ Kalangs Uprising (Java, 1770) and Bastar Rebellion (India, 1910) were major revolts against forest restrictions.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Colonial forest laws restricted local access and prioritized commercial timber extraction.
✅ Scientific forestry replaced traditional forest management in both regions.
✅ Forced labor systems exploited villagers for timber production.
✅ Local resistance movements emerged against colonial forest policies.
Q. 3. Between 1880 and 1920, forest cover in the Indian subcontinent declined by 9.7 million hectares, from 108.6 million hectares to 98.9 million hectares. Discuss the role of the following factors in this decline:
(a) Railways
(b) Shipbuilding
(c) Agricultural expansion
(d)Commercial farming
(e) Tea/Coffee plantations
(f) Adivasis and other peasant users
Answer:-
Factors Contributing to Forest Cover Decline (1880-1920)
Between 1880 and 1920, forest cover in the Indian subcontinent declined by 9.7 million hectares, primarily due to colonial policies and increasing demand for timber and land.
1️⃣ Railways
🚂 Railway expansion required wooden sleepers, leading to mass deforestation.
📏 Each kilometer of railway track needed 1,760 to 2,000 sleepers, increasing timber demand.
🌲 Large-scale tree felling occurred to support railway infrastructure.
2️⃣ Shipbuilding
⚓ British naval expansion required strong timber, especially teak and sal for ships.
🚢 Forests were cleared to supply wood for ship construction.
📜 Colonial policies prioritized timber extraction, accelerating deforestation.
3️⃣ Agricultural Expansion
🌾 Growing population led to increased demand for farmland.
🚜 Forest lands were cleared to cultivate crops.
📉 Traditional forest dwellers lost access to their lands due to agricultural expansion.
4️⃣ Commercial Farming
💰 Cash crops like cotton, jute, and sugarcane replaced natural forests.
🏭 British policies encouraged large-scale farming, reducing forest cover.
🚧 Monoculture plantations replaced diverse forest ecosystems.
5️⃣ Tea & Coffee Plantations
🍵 British planters cleared forests for tea and coffee estates.
📜 Land was granted at cheap rates to European plantation owners.
🚧 Workers were forced into labor, disrupting traditional forest use.
6️⃣ Adivasis & Peasant Users
👥 Adivasis depended on forests for food, fuel, and livelihood.
🚫 Colonial forest laws restricted access, forcing them into wage labor.
🔥 Traditional practices like shifting cultivation were banned, leading to displacement.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Railways, shipbuilding, and agriculture drove large-scale deforestation.
✅ British policies favored commercial farming, reducing forest cover.
✅ Adivasis and peasants lost access to forests, impacting their livelihoods.
Q. 4. Why are forests affected by wars?
Answer:-
Why Are Forests Affected by Wars?
Wars have a devastating impact on forests, leading to deforestation, destruction of ecosystems, and loss of biodiversity. During conflicts, forests are often strategic resources used for military purposes, causing severe environmental damage.
1️⃣ Large-Scale Deforestation for Military Needs
🚧 Wood for war infrastructure – Timber is used for building barracks, trenches, and fortifications.
⚔️ Clearing forests for battlefields – Trees are removed to create open spaces for military operations.
2️⃣ Bombing & Fire Damage
🔥 Explosions destroy forests, leading to wildfires and habitat loss.
🚨 Chemical warfare contaminates soil and water, affecting plant life.
3️⃣ Overexploitation of Resources
💰 Timber extraction increases to support war industries.
🏭 Forests are cleared for weapons production, reducing green cover.
4️⃣ Post-War Reconstruction Pressure
🏗️ Forest lands are repurposed for rebuilding cities and infrastructure.
🌾 Agricultural expansion replaces forests to support food production.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Wars lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and resource exploitation.
✅ Bombing and chemical warfare severely damage forest ecosystems.
✅ Post-war rebuilding further reduces forest cover.