How can the role of tea plantations in deforestation be distinguished from railways?

Correct answer: Tea plantations required cleared forest land, while railways required timber for tracks and sleepers

Tea plantations were established by clearing large areas of natural forest to obtain land for monoculture tea cultivation. Railways, in contrast, cleared land for railway lines and consumed large quantities of timber for sleepers and fuel. Thus, both contributed to deforestation, but plantations primarily sought agricultural land, whereas railways required transport routes and timber. Exam tip: remember the contrast as ‘land for plantations’ versus ‘timber and routes for railways’.