Why should forest policy in Java also be considered a policy of labour control?

Correct answer: Because under the blandongdiensten system, villagers were compelled to provide labour for cutting and transporting timber

The Dutch forest administration in Java needed valuable timber, especially teak, for purposes such as shipbuilding and railways. Under the blandongdiensten system, villagers were compelled to work in cutting, carrying and performing other forest tasks. Thus, forest policy controlled not only trees and land but also rural labour. Option B is incorrect because villagers were not given unrestricted private ownership of forest land. Exam tip: link control of forest resources with control of villagers’ labour.