Answer:
(i)
By the mid-19th century, various Forests Acts were also being enacted in the
different provinces.
(ii) Through these Acts, some forests which produced commercially
valuable timber like deodar or sal were declared 'Reserved'.
(iii) No pastoralist was allowed to access these forests.
(iv) Other forests were classified as 'Protected'. In
these, customary grazing rights of pastoralists were granted but their movement
was severely restricted.
(v) The colonial officials believed that grazing destroyed
the saplings and young shoots of trees that germinated on the forest floor.
(vi) The herds trampled over the saplings and ate away the
shoots. This prevented new trees from growing.
Lives of Pastoralists:
(i) The Forest Acts changed the lives of pastoralists.
They were now prevented from entering many forests that had earlier provided
valuable forage for their cattle.
(ii) Their movements were regulated even in the areas
where they were allowed entry.
(iii) They needed a permit for entry. The timing of their
entry and departure was specified, and the number of days they could spend in
the forest was limited.
(iv) Pastoralists could no longer remain in an area even
if forage was available.
The grass was succulent and the undergrowth in the forest
was ample.
(v) They had to move because the forest department permits
that had been issued to them, now ruined their lives. The permit specified the
periods in which they could be legally within a forest. If they overstayed,
they
were liable to fines.
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