Sleepers are trees that have been left standing for a long period of time, often for several decades or even centuries. They are a common feature of many forests around the world and play an important role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of these ecosystems.

Importance of Sleepers in Forest Ecosystems

Sleepers are important for several reasons, including:

1. Biodiversity: Sleepers provide habitat and shelter for a variety of plant and animal species, including insects, birds, and mammals. They also help to maintain soil moisture and nutrient levels, which are important for supporting plant growth and diversity.

2. Carbon storage: Trees are important for sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change. Sleepers are particularly important for carbon storage, as they can hold large amounts of carbon over long periods of time.

3. Cultural and historical value: Sleepers are often considered to be cultural and historical artifacts, as they can provide valuable insights into the history and development of a forest ecosystem. They may also have spiritual or ceremonial significance for local communities.

4. Economic value: In some cases, sleepers may have economic value, such as for use in construction or furniture-making.

Forest Society and Colonialism, Class 9, SST

In the context of the Forest Society and Colonialism chapter in Class 9 Social Science, sleepers are relevant in understanding the impact of colonialism on forest ecosystems. During the colonial period, many forests were heavily exploited for their natural resources, including timber. As a result, many sleepers were left standing as a way of preserving the forest and ensuring a sustainable supply of timber in the future.

Today, sleepers continue to play an important role in forest management and conservation. Many forest management plans include provisions for preserving sleepers, either for their ecological value or as a way of maintaining the historical and cultural significance of the forest.

It is a component of permanent way laid transversely under the rails and performing the following functions.
To support the rails firmly and evenlyTo maintain the gauge of the back correctlyTo distribute the weight common on the rails over a sufficiently large areas of the ballastTo act as an elastic medium between the rail and the ballast and to absorb the vibrations of the trains.To maintain the track at proper gradsTo align the rail properly