FORESTS IN PRE-BRITISH INDIA -A STUDY

Abstract

Abstract: Sustainability was ingrained in the thought process of early Indians. In ancient India, several trees and shrubs including neem, peepal, vat and tulsi were considered sacred. All those were valued because of their medicinal properties and therefore they were preserved and worshipped. Also, there was ecological equilibrium in pre-British India. There were some customary restraints on the use of forests by villagers. In Medieval India, the forests covered nearly half the area of northern India. In the Deccan as well as the coastal regions, there were extensive forests. Certain forest products were important for trade and rulers tried to stake a claim to the wealth by asserting their rights. For instance, Tipu asserted rights over sandalwood, a valuable tree. After 1857 Revolt, due to the construction of railroads and development activities, the demands for these resources were high. Initially the British did not realize the importance of Conservation. After the huge loss of forest wealth only, they were thinking of introducing Scientific forestry and so the appointment of Dietrich Brandis, the well known trained forester from Germany. Slowly they enacted forest laws in British occupied territories all over India.