How the British changed the Tribals’ relationship with the forest?
The land settlements of the British affected the joint ownership tradition among the tribals and disrupted their social fabric.
As agriculture was extended in a settled form by the Company government, the tribals lost their land, and there was an influx of non-tribals to these areas.
Shifting cultivation in forests was curbed and this added to the tribals’ problems.
The government further extended its control over the forest areas by setting up reserved forests and restricting timber use and grazing. This was the result of the increasing demand from the Company for timber— for shipping and the railways.
Exploitation by the police, traders and money-lenders (most of them ‘outsiders’) aggravated the tribals’ sufferings.
With the expansion of colonialism, Christian missionaries came to these regions and their efforts interfered with the traditional customs of the tribals. The missionaries, perceived as representatives of the alien rule, were resented by the tribals.
