Forest management and its impact on tribal livelihood: An imperial political perspective in colonial jangalmahal in west bengal

Abstract

The forest management and conservation policy was implemented for commercial utilization and economic motivation of the British Raj. The colonial government exploited and ruined the forests, wild animals and ecology for mercantile purposes through proclamation and implementation of forest regulations in India and led deterioration of ecosystem. Even numerous restrictions were imposed on forest dwellers. Therefore, the once self-sufficient forest dwellers were dislocated too promptly, and they had to embrace different professions, irrespective of their choice. The forest dwellers were separated from their ancestral land and the natural world. They were bound to move other destinations for survival. Many forest tribes lost their identity, customs and language. Often they had to change their pastoral mode of livelihood and to reshape their lives on the basis of the changes in the mode of agriculture and animal husbandry. In the light of above discussion, this chapter endeavours to explore how the forest regulations and forest management altered the tribal livelihood as well as ecological scenario of south western part of Bengal (Jangalmahal). Subsequently, due to the massive commercialization of forest and various prohibitory laws of the British Government, the jungle terrain offered a picture of conflict and anarchy.