Important Questions (1 mark): Forest Society & Colonialism - Class 9 MCQ

The colonial rulers considered forests as unproductive because: They considered cultivated lands as sign of progress and not nature in its natural self. They thought that the use of forests by local people and the reckless felling of trees by traders would destroy forest.

Explanation:
The Blandongdiensten system in Java was followed by the Dutch.
Details:
- The Blandongdiensten system was a form of forced labor that was implemented in Java, an island in Indonesia, during the Dutch colonial period.
- It was introduced by the Dutch colonial authorities in the 19th century to address the shortage of labor for coffee and sugar plantations.
- Under this system, the local population, mainly Javanese peasants, were required to perform unpaid labor on the plantations for a certain number of days each year.
- The laborers were often subjected to harsh working conditions and were not adequately compensated for their work.
- The Blandongdiensten system was a source of resentment and resistance among the Javanese population, and it contributed to the growing nationalist movement in Java.
- The system was eventually abolished in the early 20th century, following increased pressure from the Javanese and international criticism of Dutch colonial practices.
In summary, the Blandongdiensten system in Java was followed by the Dutch colonial authorities, and it played a significant role in shaping the history of Java during the Dutch colonial period.

Background Information:
Between 1700 and 1995, the period of industrialization, a significant amount of forest area was cleared for various purposes such as industrial uses, cultivation, pastures, and fuelwood. The question asks for the total square kilometers of forest area cleared during this period.

To determine the correct answer, we need to calculate the total square kilometers of forest area cleared for industrial uses, cultivation, pastures, and fuelwood between 1700 and 1995.
Here are the steps to calculate the answer:
1. Calculate the total forest area cleared for industrial uses, cultivation, pastures, and fuelwood for each year between 1700 and 1995.
2. Sum up the values obtained in step 1 to get the total forest area cleared during the entire period.
3. Convert the total forest area cleared into square kilometers.
4. Compare the calculated value with the given options and select the correct answer.
Answer:
Based on the available information, the correct answer is A: 13.9 million sq. km.

Dietrich Brandis was the First Inspector General of Forests in India.

• Background: Dietrich Brandis was a German-British forester and the pioneer of scientific forestry. He was born in Germany in 1824 and later moved to Britain.


• Appointment: In 1864, Dietrich Brandis was appointed as the first Inspector General of Forests in India by the British government.


• Role and Responsibilities: As the Inspector General of Forests, Brandis played a crucial role in the conservation and management of forests in India. His main responsibilities included:




• Developing and implementing forest policies and regulations


• Establishing forest research institutes


• Training and educating forest officers


• Introducing sustainable forestry practices


• Advising the government on forest-related matters




• Contributions: Dietrich Brandis' work in India laid the foundation for scientific forestry and sustainable forest management in the country. He conducted extensive research, introduced new species of trees, and emphasized the importance of forest conservation.


• Later Years: Brandis served as the Inspector General of Forests in India for over 20 years before retiring in 1883. He continued to contribute to the field of forestry through his writings and lectures.

In conclusion, Dietrich Brandis was the First Inspector General of Forests in India and made significant contributions to the development of scientific forestry in the country.

Shifting cultivation is an agricultural system in which plots of land are cultivated temporarily, then abandoned and allowed to revert to their natural vegetation while the cultivator moves on to another plot.

Explanation:
The statement given is true: Around 1890, Surontiko Samin of Randublatung village, a teak forest village, began questioning state ownership of the forest. Here is a detailed explanation:
- Surontiko Samin: Surontiko Samin was an influential figure in the Randublatung village during the late 19th century.
- Randublatung village: The village was known for its teak forest, which was a valuable resource for the community.
- Questioning state ownership: Surontiko Samin started questioning the authority and ownership of the state over the teak forest. This was a significant challenge to the existing power structure at the time.
- State ownership: The state, represented by colonial authorities, claimed ownership of the forest and its resources.
- Significance: Samin's questioning of state ownership was an early example of resistance against colonial policies and the exploitation of natural resources. It highlighted the struggle for local communities to assert their rights and control over their own resources.
In conclusion, Surontiko Samin's questioning of state ownership of the teak forest in Randublatung village around 1890 is a true statement. This event marked an important moment in the history of local resistance against colonial control and exploitation.

The Imperial Forest Institute was set up in 1906 at Dehradun.


The Imperial Forest Institute, which was established in 1906, was a significant institution for forestry studies and research in India. It played a crucial role in the development and management of forests in the country. The institute was set up at Dehradun, a city located in the state of Uttarakhand.
The establishment of the Imperial Forest Institute marked an important milestone in the field of forestry in India. Here are some key points about the institute:
- Purpose: The Imperial Forest Institute was established with the aim of providing education, training, and research facilities in the field of forestry. It aimed to promote scientific management and conservation of forests in India.
- Activities: The institute offered various courses and programs related to forestry, including training for forest officers, research on forest resources, and development of forestry techniques. It served as a center for the study and dissemination of knowledge about forests and their sustainable management.
- Contribution: The Imperial Forest Institute made significant contributions to the understanding and conservation of forests in India. It played a crucial role in training a skilled workforce of forest officers and researchers who could effectively manage and protect the country's forests.
- Legacy: Over the years, the Imperial Forest Institute evolved and merged with other institutions to form what is now known as the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun. FRI continues to be a premier institution for forestry research and education in India.
In conclusion, the Imperial Forest Institute was established in 1906 at Dehradun. It served as an important institution for forestry education, training, and research in India, contributing to the scientific management and conservation of forests in the country.

The 1878 Act divided forests into three categories: reserved, protected and village forests. The best forests were called 'reserved forests'. Villagers could not take anything from these forests, even for their own use. For house building or fuel, they could take wood from protected or village forests.

The responsible factors for deforestation during the colonial period in India were:
A: British encouraged the production of commercial crops:
- The British introduced cash crops like indigo, jute, tea, and cotton, which required large areas of land.
- Forests were cleared to make way for the cultivation of these cash crops, leading to deforestation.
C: Increased demand for timber due to expansion of railways and for shipbuilding purposes:
- The construction of railways required a significant amount of timber for sleepers, bridges, and other infrastructure.
- The British also required timber for shipbuilding purposes, leading to an increased demand and subsequent deforestation.
D: British gave vast areas at cheap rates to European planters and contractors to provide wood needed for shipbuilding:
- The British provided large areas of land to European planters and contractors for the production of timber required for shipbuilding.
- This led to the clearing of forests on these lands and contributed to deforestation.
Not responsible for deforestation:
B: British encouraged the production of Jowar and Bajra:
- Jowar and Bajra are millet crops that were traditionally grown in India and did not contribute significantly to deforestation.
- While the British did encourage the production of these crops, they were not the primary cause of deforestation during the colonial period in India.
In conclusion, the British encouragement of the production of commercial crops, the increased demand for timber due to the expansion of railways and shipbuilding, and the allocation of land for European planters and contractors were the major factors responsible for deforestation during the colonial period in India. The production of Jowar and Bajra, however, did not significantly contribute to deforestation.

Forests having trees suitable for building ships and railways were preferred by the Forest Department. The wood for these sleepers was cut from the forests in the Himalayan and Terai regions. Wood was also cut and sold in huge quantities for buildings, mines and ships. This work was done by workers hired by timber traders and forest contractors.