Science in the forest management in colonial Assam (1826–1947)

Abstract

Since ancient period human beings have been dependent on forest and forest products, which gradually led to the evolvement of indigenous forest management system. The indigenous rulers and people revered the forest and forest products in form of sacred groves, trees and plants. Jhum or shifting cultivation is one such traditional method of cultivation which was favourable for the climate of Assam. Guha and Gadgil argued that in hilly and forestry land, where the plough could not penetrate, led to the adaptation of shifting cultivation in large expanses. For the first time the commercialization of forest products was started by the colonial administrators and for maximum production, science was introduced in the forest management. The application of science could be identified with forest plantation, silviculture, taungya and regulation on forest fires, grazing, wild animals, climbers, insects, parasitic plants and so on. The training programme for British foresters was also introduced. Under the taungya system indigenous people were allowed to cultivate along with the plantation. It firstly, allowed the colonial government to earn revenue and secondly, avoid any rift with the indigenous people. The forest legislations were used as an instrument for the maximum use of forest products by the Colonial Government and to debar the indigenous people’s rights over the access of forest and forest produces. However, the experiments by the colonial ruler led to the transformation of jungle (natural forest) into a more regulated modern forest. The brief report examines the development of scientific forest management practices in colonial Assam.