Why Deforestation?

To meet the needs of a growing population, more crops had to be produced. Forests were therefore cleared to convert the land into cultivable fields. Building houses could also cause deforestation in some places, but here the stated reason is the expansion of agriculture for food production. Exam tip: link rising food demand with expansion of cultivated land.

Tea coffee and rubber plantations reduced forest area. Exam tip: remember examples of plantation crops.

Forests were cleared to make fields for farming. Exam tip: treat field expansion as a main cause.

The government wanted control over timber and forest land. Exam tip: separate local rights and state control.

When forests are cut the natural homes of many organisms decrease. Exam tip: connect biodiversity with habitat.

Colonial rule viewed forests through its economic interest. Exam tip: remember imperial interest.

Large quantities of strong timber were required for railway sleepers and for building ships. This rising demand contributed to deforestation during the colonial period. Cotton cultivation could also lead to forest clearance in some areas, but railways and ships are directly linked to the demand for timber. Exam tip: remember ‘railway sleepers + shipbuilding’ with timber.

British rule wanted tax and revenue from cultivation. Exam tip: remember colonial revenue policy.

Plantation crops were grown for commercial profit. Exam tip: write the link between plantation and market.

Many local people depended on forests for daily needs. Exam tip: remember the word livelihood.

Colonial policy gave priority to revenue and useful timber. Exam tip: identify state interest.

Deforestation is not caused only by natural factors. During the colonial period, forests were cleared on a large scale for expanding agriculture, timber for railways and ships, and plantations. Therefore, option A is correct. Strong winds may fell a few trees, but they are not the main cause of widespread, planned forest clearance. Exam tip: clearly distinguish between natural and human causes of deforestation.

Forests were cleared on a large scale to create farmland and to establish plantations for crops such as tea, coffee, or rubber. Thus, both activities reduced forest cover and put pressure on forest land. Option C is the opposite of this, because expansion did not conserve natural forests; it led to their clearance. Exam tip: Remember agricultural expansion and commercial plantations as separate examples of causes of deforestation.

Both used forests as resource and land. Exam tip: understand economic use as a cause.

Deforestation affected both nature and peoples livelihood. Exam tip: write the double impact.

Under colonial rule, timber was needed for several purposes. Large quantities were used for railway sleepers, shipbuilding and construction. Therefore, its demand was not restricted to a single sector. Options B and D incorrectly limit timber to only one use. Exam tip: Remember railway sleepers and shipbuilding as major reasons for the rising colonial demand for timber.

Cultivable land could give tax to the government. Exam tip: keep revenue and cultivation together.

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

Colonial rule increased pressure on forests for farming timber and plantations. Exam tip: write policy and economic need together.

Cash crops were linked with market and profit so forest land was cleared. Exam tip: remember cash crops with commercial farming.