Why did commercial forestry become not only an environmental but also a social problem for local communities?

Correct answer: Because it restricted local people’s use of forests and affected their livelihoods

Under commercial forestry, the colonial government increased control over forests and prioritised timber-producing trees. This restricted traditional activities such as grazing, collecting fuelwood and forest produce, and shifting cultivation, affecting local communities’ daily needs and livelihoods. Therefore, it became a social problem as well. Option B is the opposite of the historical reality: rights were restricted rather than expanded. Exam tip: mention both restrictions on forest rights and the impact on livelihoods.