In 19 century British exploit the forest resources of India for their economic development. Under British Colonial rule deforestation for economic development in India become systematic and extensive.
In the following ways, the exploit the forest resources of India for their economic development.
Need Of Timber
- British people needed Timber supply for their Royal Navy they sent search parties to explore forest resources of India in 1820. By the early 19 century, oak forests in England were disappearing. Because of that with in a decade vast quantities of timbers were being exported from India.
To Expand Railway Network
- Britishers wanted to expand the railway network fork colonial trade. To run locomotives, they needed would and also for railway tracks they needed Timber supply. To meet these needs they had exploited forest resources of India.
Crops To Meet The Need Of Commodities
- Large area of forest in India were cleared for the plantation of tea coffee and Rubber. This is for meeting Europe’s growing need for their commodities. For the same reason colonial government took over the forest and give vast areas to European planters at cheap rates.
Raw Material for Industries In Europe
- The British also cleared the forest to produce raw materials for the industries in England. The British directly encourage the production of commercial crops like jute, sugar cane, wheat and cotton. This crops were demanded for the consumption of Urban population and also raw material for industries.
Expand Agricultural Area To Increase The Revenue Of State
- The colonial thought that forests were and unproductive, for that they expand agricultural area by clearing forest. This has also increased the revenue of the state. Between 1880 and 1920 weighted area in India Rose by 6.7 million hectares.
