The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The British colonial administration enacted various Forest Acts (most notably in 1865, 1878, and 1927) to secure control over timber resources, which were essential for railway expansion and shipbuilding. These laws reclassified forests into categories such as Reserved, Protected, and Village forests, fundamentally altering the traditional rights of tribal communities over forest resources.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. Tribal groups were severely affected by the new forest laws. Their traditional rights to graze cattle, collect fruits and roots, and hunt or fish were restricted or criminalized. Many tribal communities were displaced from their homes in the forests, forcing them to search for work in mines and plantations under exploitative conditions.
- Statement 2 is Correct. The British administration viewed shifting cultivation (Jhum or Podu) as harmful to the forests because it made the land unsuitable for growing railway timber (like Sal and Teak) and increased the risk of forest fires. Consequently, Jhum cultivators were banned from practicing shifting cultivation in Reserved Forests, leading to widespread displacement and unrest.
- Statement 3 is Correct. While the British wanted to expel tribals to protect timber, they inadvertently created a labour shortage for cutting trees and transporting logs. To resolve this, colonial officials established "forest villages". In these villages, tribals were given small patches of land to cultivate on the specific condition that they provided cheap or free labour to the Forest Department for logging and maintenance.
Key Takeaway
British Forest Laws transformed tribal customary rights into privileges or crimes. While the primary aim was timber extraction, the resulting labour shortage forced the administration to re-integrate some tribals through the
"forest village" system, tying habitation rights to compulsory labour.