Why did the colonial government start commercial forestry in India? Give any three reasons.

The colonial government started commercial forestry in India because –

• Britishers needed forests land to get Timber to build ships and railways. This would lead to the development of trade.

• They acquired land so that they could rent it out to European planters at a low price. These planters grew commercial crops which were then exported to other countries at higher prices.

• For the forest management, officials surveyed the forests to estimate the area under different types of trees and created a proper working plan. They promoted the cultivation of Sal and Teak trees.

This way they promoted the commercial forestry to expand the area of trade under them.