Forest management and evolution of the colonial forest policy in India (1860–1930)

Forest is an important subject of debate in Environmental History. The evolution and execution of forest management policy inevitably involves decision making related to the use of forest resources. Major reason for focus on forest management and development of policies is due to the fact that forests are closely related with environmental conservation as they are considered as good absorber of green house gases thereby mitigating global warming, minimize erosion of top soil, prevent floods, and provide shelter and food to wildlife and tribal population. In this context study of colonial forest policies emerged as most fascinating field of enquiry in history. Forest management and policy have been a subject of considerable debate and conflict ever since the British established a Forest Department in India and enacted legislations related to forestry in the 19th century. The splendid needs dictated the British interests in the Indian forest resources, which resulted in the establishment of supremacy over forest resources. But their policies lack two crucial aspects of forest management that include the well-established traditional systems of conservation and sustainable use; and the critical ecological and social role that forests play. In present paper, an attempt has been made to review forest management and evolution of colonial forest policy in India.