Why Deforestation?

Ships had to withstand waves, heavy loads and moisture at sea, so strong, durable and decay-resistant timber was needed for their construction. Light or soft timber could break easily, while unseasoned wood with high moisture could shrink or warp on drying. Exam tip: link shipbuilding with the growing colonial demand for durable construction timber.

Timber was needed for railway sleepers and construction. Exam tip: connect railways with deforestation.

More cultivation could increase production and land tax. Exam tip: connect production and revenue.

Deforestation is not only a natural process because large areas of forests were cleared for human activities such as expanding agriculture, timber trade, railway sleepers and construction. During colonial rule, government policies also accelerated this clearing. Rainfall is not a direct general cause of deforestation. Exam tip: mention at least one human cause when answering a question on deforestation.

Plantations grew cash crops such as tea, coffee and rubber on a large scale for sale in markets and for export. Therefore, clearing forests for plantations reflects the idea of production for the market. Subsistence farming, in contrast, is mainly meant to meet a family's own needs. Exam tip: link cash crops, exports and plantations with market-oriented production.

Timber was useful for railways ships and construction. Exam tip: treat timber as a main forest resource.

With fewer forests fodder and grazing areas for animals could decrease. Exam tip: remember fodder and grazing.

Colonial rule saw forests through its economic and administrative interest. Exam tip: remember imperial interest.

During the colonial period, forests were cleared to obtain more land for cultivation. The growing demand for timber for railways, ships, and buildings also increased deforestation. Therefore, both factors in option A are causes of deforestation. Measures such as forest conservation and reforestation protect forests rather than cause their loss. Exam tip: In questions on causes, identify economic pressures such as expansion of farmland and demand for timber.

Deforestation increased due to many economic and administrative reasons. Exam tip: give a multi cause answer.

Large forest areas were cleared for cultivation. Exam tip: remember farming as a major cause.

Timber was widely used for railway sleepers and shipbuilding. Exam tip: remember two examples of timber demand.

Wooden sleepers were needed to support railway tracks. Exam tip: connect sleepers with railway timber.

Strong durable timber was needed for ships. Exam tip: write the link between navy and timber.

The British saw Indian forests as a source of strong timber. Exam tip: connect oak shortage with Indian forests.

Railway lines and sleepers needed much timber. Exam tip: treat railways as a cause of deforestation.

Under colonial rule, large forest areas were cleared to obtain land for tea plantations. Therefore, clearing forests is correct. Railways were mainly built to transport timber and other forest products, not removed to create plantations. Exam tip: remember plantation agriculture as a major cause of deforestation.

Plantations like coffee and rubber reduced forests. Exam tip: remember examples of commercial plantations.

Colonial officials mainly viewed forests as sources of timber, railway sleepers, shipbuilding material and other products that could generate revenue. Therefore, they sought commercial use and state control of forests through scientific forestry. Option B may reflect the view of local communities, not that of colonial officials. Exam tip: link colonial forest policy with revenue, timber and government control.

More food had to be produced for more people. Exam tip: write population and food demand together.