Qs on Forests Essay Example for Free

Qs on Forests Essay He suggestedthat a proper system should be introducedto protect the forest. He helped in formulating the Indian Forest Act of 1865. (Q. )Who was Dietrich Brandis? (1 Mark) (Ans) Brandis was a German who gave advice to the British regarding thereckless cutting of trees by the local people and the traders. He feared that it would destroythe forest. Brandis was also madethe first Inspector General of Forests in  India. (Q. ) What was the idea of plantation in colonial period? (1 Mark) (Ans) The Colonial Government took over the forests and gave away those to European planters at cheap rates. They had cut down the forest for land to start the plantation. This was another way for deforestation. Large areas of forests were cleared to make way for the plantation of tea, coffee and rubber to meet the growing demands of these commodities in European countries (Q. )Can you relate the progress of railways with the idea of deforestation in colonial period? Explain. (1 Mark) (Ans) 1) Railways were essential forcolonial trade and for the movement of imperial troops. As the railway tracks expanded, a larger number of trees were felled to meet up the growing demand of timber and fuel wood. ) The government gave out contracts to individuals to supply the required quantity of timber. These contractors started random cutting of trees and this led to immediate disappearance of forests around the railway tracks. (Q. )What is meant by the term deforestation? (1 Mark) (Ans) Cutting down of trees in huge numberof forest area to fulfill the demand of developing civilizations is known as defor estation. In other words, cutting and destroying of forest resourcesis deforestation. During the period of colonialism,deforestation took a systematic approachfor the purpose ofindustrial development. Q. )  Mention the changes seen in the features of forest resources during  industrialisation. (1 Mark) (Ans) The period of industrialisation, i. e. , the years from 1700 to 1995, witnessed a drastic reduction in the earlier huge diversity of forest resources all over the world. Around 13. 9 sq. km of forest lands, i. e. 9. 3% of the world’s forest area, was cleared  for the needs of industrialisation, cultivation, pastures and fuelwoods. (Q. )How did the Forest Act affect the lives of the common Indians? (1 Mark) (Ans) The Forest Act brought severe hardships for villagers across the country. After the Act, their everyday practices – cutting wood, grazing of cattle, collection of fruits and roots, hunting and fishing were treated as illegal activities. People were forced to steal wood from the forests and when caught, were at the mercy of the forest guards. (Q. ) What are the recent developments in forestry? (3 Marks) (Ans) 1) The concept of forest  management has changed since 1980. It was observed by the government that implementation of strict forest laws was leading to stealing of timbers and illegal hunting. ) Forest dwellers were kept away from the implementation procedure of these laws andtherefore, it generated conflict between the two parties – the government and the villagers. 3) Indian adivasis preserve the forest land and resources and therefore, the government is involving local people in the matters like safetyand security of forest land, forest products and wild animals. (Q. ) Elaborate  some of the activities of the people of Bastar. (3 M arks) (Ans) 1) The people of Bastar believe deeply in the village and its offerings. Since the village peopleknow the boundaries of the village, they look after the natural resources. ) If people from a village want to take some wood from the forests of another village, they pay a small fee called  devsari,  dand  or  man  in exchange. Some villages also protect their forests by engaging watchmen and each household contributes some grain to pay them. 3) Every year, there is one big hunt where the headmen of villages in a  pargana  (cluster of villages) meet and discuss issues of concern, including forests. (Q. ) Who was Samin? What was his challenge to the Dutch? (3 Marks) (Ans) Surontiko Samin was a resident of Randublatung  village  of  Java. 1) In 1890, he  began questioning the state ownership of forest. He argued that the forest and its resources were the gifts of nature. Thus, the state could not have any right over it. 2) A widespread movement developed and by 1907, 3,000 families were following his ideas. They challenged the Dutch authority byrefusing to pay taxes and by lying down on their forest lands when the Dutch came to survey it. Others refused to pat taxes or fines or perform labour. (Q. ) What are the similarities between colonial management of forests in Bastar and in Java? (3 Marks) (Ans) 1) In both Bastar (India) andJava (Indonesia), the colonial management of forests led to rebellions. ) In Bastar, the forest management was in the hands of the British and in Java, it wasunder the Dutches. 3) Both the governments wanted timber for their needs and worked for their own monopoly. When the forest communities in both the regions had to leave their land, rebellions occurred, which were subsequentlycrushed. Q. ) How did the forest  rules affect cultivation? (3 Marks) (Ans) 1) European foresters regarded the practice of shifting cultivationharmful for the forests. They felt that theland which was used for cultivation every few years could not grow trees for railway timber. When a forest was burnt, there was the added danger offlames spreading and burning valuable timber. 2) Shifting cultivation also made it harder for the government to calculate taxes. Therefore, the government decided to ban shifting cultivation. 3) Many communities were forcibly displaced from their homes in the forests. Some had to change occupations, while some resisted through large and small rebellions. Q. )How can you say that the spread of railways brought deforestation during the Colonial Period? (3 Marks) (Ans) 1) In 1850s, the spread of railways created a new demand.