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Chapter 4 Forest Society and Colonialism
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Why are forests affected by wars?
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The First and L,he Second World War had a major impact on forests as given below (i) In India, working plans were abandoned and the forest department cut”trees freely to meet British war needs.
(ii) In Java, just before the Japanese occupied the region, the Dutch followed a scorched earth policy, destroying sawmills, and burning huge piles of giant teak logs so that they would not fall into Japanese hands. The Japanese then exploited the forests. recklessly for their own war industries, forcing forest villagers to cut down forests.
(iii) In Java, many villagers used the opportunity of war to expand cultivation in the forest’ After the war, it was difficult for the Indonesian Forest Service to get this land back.
Effects of Wars on Forests:
1. Direct Damage: Forests can be directly targeted during wars, leading to destruction from bombings, artillery fire, and defoliation campaigns.
2. Resource Exploitation: Increased wartime demands often result in forest exploitation for timber, fuelwood, and resources, causing deforestation and overexploitation.
3. Displacement and Refugees: Wars cause mass displacement, leading refugees to rely on forests for shelter and resources, increasing pressure and degradation.
4. Indirect Impacts: Lack of governance during wars leads to illegal logging and unsustainable resource extraction, further degrading forests.
5. Economic Impact: Disruption of local economies dependent on forests can lead to increased degradation as people resort to unsustainable practices.
6. Long-term Consequences: Ecological impacts can persist for years, impacting biodiversity, soil health, and ecosystem services.
Wars have devastating effects on forests, causing immediate and long-term ecological, social, and economic consequences, leading to degradation, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity.