How did revenue and resource control work together among the causes of deforestation?

Correct answer: Tax from cultivation and timber from forests became profitable for the government

The direct answer is option A: cultivation produced tax revenue and forests supplied profitable timber. Colonial governments wanted income from land and control over valuable forest resources. First, when forest land was cleared and cultivation expanded, the state could collect land revenue or agricultural tax. Second, when forests were controlled, trees could be cut and timber could be sold or used for government projects, including railways and ships. These two aims worked together and encouraged deforestation. Option A is correct because it connects cultivation tax with forest timber profit. Option B is wrong: earning revenue from cultivation did not remove the need for wood; timber remained important. Option C is wrong because controlling resources generally strengthened state power and income, even though it harmed many communities. Option D is wrong because both policies were closely connected with colonial rule. Exam cue: remember the double motive—revenue from land and profit or control from forest resources.