Colonial rulers considered forests as unproductive because they did not yield revenue to enhance the income of the state. This perception was driven by their economic and administrative goals, as well as their lack of understanding of the ecological and social importance of forests. Here's a detailed explanation:

1. Economic Goals:
- Colonial rulers primarily focused on extracting resources from their colonies to fuel their own industrial and economic growth.
- They viewed forests as a potential source of valuable timber, which could be exported and sold for profit.
- Forests were also seen as a source of raw materials for industries such as shipbuilding, construction, and furniture making.
- Since forests did not directly generate revenue for the state, they were considered unproductive from an economic perspective.

2. Administrative Goals:
- Colonial rulers aimed to establish control and governance over their colonies.
- They viewed forests as vast and untamed territories that needed to be brought under their jurisdiction.
- The presence of forests made it difficult for colonial administrators to establish settlements, infrastructure, and transportation networks.
- Forests were seen as obstacles to agricultural expansion, which was a key focus for the colonizers.
- Therefore, colonial rulers considered forests unproductive as they hindered their administrative goals.

3. Lack of Ecological Understanding:
- The colonial rulers had limited knowledge about the ecological importance of forests.
- They did not understand the role of forests in maintaining soil fertility, regulating water cycles, preventing erosion, and supporting biodiversity.
- Forests were seen as wastelands or uncultivated territories that could be converted into more productive forms of land use, such as agriculture or plantations.
- The ecological services provided by forests were not considered in the colonial administration's assessment of their productivity.

In conclusion, colonial rulers considered forests as unproductive because they did not generate direct revenue for the state and hindered their economic and administrative goals. This perception was also influenced by their limited understanding of the ecological importance of forests. However, this perspective disregarded the long-term benefits and ecological services provided by forests, which are now recognized as crucial for sustainable development and the well-being of both humans and the environment.