At what cost to local communities did Dutch forest control in Java succeed?

Correct answer: Freedom of forest use decreased and pressure on labour increased

Dutch forest control in Java helped the colonial state obtain timber and organize forests for its own commercial and administrative purposes. This success was not free for local people. Rules restricted customary access to forests, limited grazing and wood collection, and required permission for activities that had earlier supported village life. In addition, villagers could face compulsory or highly pressured labour connected with forest work and transport. Thus, colonial efficiency rested partly on limiting local freedom.

The correct choice is A because it identifies both major costs: reduced freedom to use forest resources and increased pressure on labour. The other choices are unrelated or opposite to the historical outcome. Sea travel did not define this cost, the issue was not the end of cotton cultivation, and local people did not receive all forests. A complete answer should connect colonial gain with local sacrifice: the state gained control and revenue while communities lost customary rights and faced heavier demands.