Apart from farming what was another reason behind clearing forests?

Correct answer: Growing demand for timber for railway sleepers

During the colonial period, railway expansion required a huge number of wooden sleepers. Thus, the demand for timber for railways became a major cause of deforestation. Constructing ponds or harvesting rainwater were not major colonial reasons for clearing forests. Exam tip: Remember agricultural expansion, railways, and timber for ships as key causes of deforestation.