Why were the forests cut by the Britishers in India?

Why were the forests cut by the Britishers in India?

Ans.

(i) The British thought that forests were unproductive and wanted more land to be brought under cultivation.

(ii) The British also wanted timber to build ships. Timber was in short supply because Oak forests in England were disappearing.

(iii) The spread of railways from 1850s created new demand of wood as fuel and wooden sleepers for laying railway lines. Thus, to meet the growing demand of both land and wood, forests were cut.