Why was timber demand not limited only to railways in the colonial period?

Correct answer: Because timber was also needed for activities such as shipbuilding and construction

Option D is correct. Under colonial rule, timber was required not only for railway sleepers but also for shipbuilding, buildings, bridges, and other construction work. This made forests an important resource for the colonial administration. Option C is incorrect because timber comes from forests, not from the sea. Exam tip: remember railways, shipbuilding, and expansion of agriculture as major causes of deforestation.