Page 102 - Understanding NCERT Histroy 09th

l This caused great hardship for the villagers. All their daily practices such as cutting
wood for their domestic use , cattle grazing, collecting fruits and roots, hunting and
fishing became illegal.
l People were now forced to steal wood from the forests. If they were caught by the
Goyal Brothers Prakashan
forest guards, they were punished. Women could not collect fuel wood from the forests,
forests guards and constables harassed them.
7. Why the Dutch adopted the ‘scorched earth policy’ during the war?
Ans. The Dutch adopted the ‘scorched earth policy’ during the war because :
l The First and the Second World War had a major impact on forests. In India, trees
were cut freely to meet British demand for war needs.
l In Java, just before the Japanese occupied the region, the Dutch followed the ‘scorched
earth policy’ destroying saw mills, burning huge piles of giant teak logs so that they
could not fall into Japanese hands.
8. What did Dietrich Brandis suggest for the improvement of forests in India?
Ans. Dietrich Brandis suggested that:
l A proper system had to be followed. People had to be trained in the science of
conservation.
l Felling of trees and grazing land had to be protected.
l Rules about the use of forests should be made. Anyone who broke rules to be punished.
l The Indian Forest Service was set up in 1864. He also helped in formulating the Indian
Forest Act of 1865.

VI. Long Answer Questions
1. Who were the Kalangs? Why did they attack the Dutch forts at Joana?
Ans. l The Kalangs were a community of Java. They were skilled forests cutters and shifting
cultivators. They were so valuable that teak could not be harvested without them, nor
could kings build their palaces.
l When the Mataram Kingdom of Java split, the families of the Kalang community
were divided equally between the two kingdoms. When the Dutch colonised Java they
forced the Kalangs to work under them. The Kalangs reacted by attacking the Dutch
forts at Joana.

2. Why did commercial forestry become important during the British rule?
Ans. The commercial forestry become important during the British rule because :
l From the early nineteenth century, oak forests in England were disappearing. This
created a problem of timber supply for the Royal Navy.
l English ships could not be built without a regular supply of strong and durable timber
neither could imperial power be protected and maintained without ships.
l Before 1850, the commercial forestry was considered important in India. By the 1820s,
search parties were sent to explore the forest resources of India. These parties gave a
green signal for commercial forestry in India. Within a decade, trees were being cut
on a massive scale and large quantities of timber were exported from India.
l The spread of railway from the 1850s created a new demand for wood. In India the
colonial government felt that railways were essential for effective colonial internal
administration, colonial trade and for the quick movement of imperial troops. To run
the steam locomotives, wood was needed as fuel and to lay railway lines, sleepers
were also essential to hold the track together.

History Class IX H-93