Ak. Negi et al., THE EFFECTS OF COLONIALISM ON FORESTS AND THE LOCAL PEOPLE IN THE GARHWAL-HIMALAYA, INDIA, Mountain research and development, 17(2), 1997, pp. 159-168
The present condition of forests in the Garhwal Himalaya results from
traditional use by local inhabitants and from government legislation.
This paper discusses the impact of human activities on the forest and
land resources of the region over the past 200 years. During British o
ccupation (1815-1947) the region was divided into two parts-British Ga
rhwal, controlled by the British government in India, and Tehri State,
governed by a native king. The systems of management were similar in
each area, although the Forest Department was better organized in Brit
ish Garhwal. The major causes of deforestation were traditional practi
ces such as the clearing of forest for agriculture and settlement. Thi
s cleared land was exempt from government revenue collection for many
years and this was one reason why small scattered villages were establ
ished in distant forests by local people. Land settlement first took p
lace in British Garhwal and occurred much later in Tehri State. Land r
esources, including forest, were the major source of revenue and State
intervention in forest use resulted in unrest among Himalayan peasant
s. This dependence on forests for revenue increased significantly afte
r Independence, with consequent environmental degradation and new soci
al tensions.