Indian Forest Act of 1878
- With the Forest Act of 1878, the British government acquired the sovereignty of all wastelands which unfortunately included forests. The British could mark off forests as Reserved and Protected Forests. The locals couldn’t use the forests like they used to with some privileges remaining which could be rescinded at any time.
- The local villagers could not bring anything from the Reserved Forests for their personal use. They could only use the forest products from the village forests and Protected Forests for fuel or to build houses. All this was done to regulate the collection of forest wood. With certain activities illegal with fines and imprisonment, the British had control over the forests.
British Forest Policy in India
The British Empire used and exploited all the available resources of the countries they colonized. So it is no wonder the forests of India were an important resource for the British. The Indian Forest Act was enacted in 1865 and then it was amended in 1878 and 1927.
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