question_answer

How were 'Wasteland Rules' enacted?

Answer:

(i) To the colonial officials, all uncultivated land appeared to be unproductive. So it was seen as 'wasteland' that had to be brought under cultivation.

(ii) So 'Wasteland Rules' were enacted in various parts of the country. By these rules, uncultivated lands were taken over and given to selected individuals.

(iii) These individuals were granted various concessions and encouraged to settle these lands. Some of them were made headmen of villages to monitor cultivation.

So, the expansion of cultivation meant the decline of pastures for the pastoralists which posed huge problems for them.