How did the British exploit the forests resources of India for their economic development?
1. The British directly encouraged the production of commercial crops like jute, sugarcane, wheat and cotton.
2. Railways were essential for colonial trade and for the movement of imperial troops.
3. Trees were cut to make sleepers that were put into railway tracks
4. Large areas of forests were cleared to establish tea, coffee and rubber plantation to meet the needs of European industries.
5. Trees were cut on a massive scale and vast quantities by the early nineteenth century for ship-building.
