What was the main work of forest officials?

Correct answer: Supervision and control of forest resources

The direct answer is option D: supervision and control of forest resources. Forest officials worked for the forest department and carried out government rules. They surveyed and mapped forests, marked boundaries, classified areas, prepared working plans, supervised tree felling, protected commercially valuable timber, issued permits, and enforced restrictions on grazing, cultivation, hunting, and collection. Their work therefore involved administration and control, not ordinary trade or cultural activity. Option A is wrong because running sea ships belongs to naval or maritime work. Option B is wrong because writing folk songs is a cultural activity, not the main duty of forest officials. Option C is wrong because selling cotton belongs to commerce and is unrelated to forest administration. Option D is correct because officials monitored forest resources and regulated people’s access to them. This control supported state revenue and commercial forestry. Exam cue: forest officials = rules, records, permits, timber, and enforcement.