Answer:
Before
colonial period, India had nearly one-third of the total land area under forest
cover which rapidly declined.
In the early 19th century, the colonial powers held the opinion that
forests were unproductive and were in no way useful in increasing the income of
the state.
Dietrich Brandis set-up the Indian Forest Service in 1864
and realised that a proper system had to be introduced to manage forests.
The Britisher encouraged the production at commercial
crops like jute, sugar, wheat, and cotton. They also encouraged plantation of
tea, coffee and rubber. So, the Indian farmers cleared forests for the
commercial crops. It affected the ecological balance against multi species
forest.
The Britishers exported timber like oak, sheesham and teak
wood for Royal Navy to make strong ships.
Expansion of the railway was another reason for clearing
forest, as a large number of 'sleepers' were required for railway tracks. As
the population increased and the demand of food went up. The forest were
cleared for the expansion of agricultural land.
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