Enumerate the role of railways and shipbuilding in the decline of forests between 1880 and 1920.

(i) Railways:

They were essential for colonial trade and movement of troops. To run locomotives, wood was needed as fuel, and to lay the railway lines sleepers were essential to hold the track together. By 1890, about 25,500 km of tracts were laid and more and more trees were cut. In Madras Presidency alone 35,000 trees were being cut annually for sleepers.

(ii) Shipbuilding:

In England, from the early 19th century. oak forests were disappearing. It created a shortage of timber for the Royal Navy. Ships could not be built without a regular supply of strong and durable timber. Ships were necessary for the protection of overseas colonies and trade Within a decade trees were cut on a large scale and timber was exported from India.