Question

Narrate how the tribal groups were affected by the Forest Acts enacted by the British? Who attained martyrdom for the cause of forest dwellers?

Answer 1

1. The First Forest Act was enacted by the British in 1865.
2. This act restricted the access of the forest dwellers to the forest areas to collect firewood, cattle fodder, and other minor forest produce such as honey seeds, nuts, medicinal herbs.
3. Indian Forest Act of 1878.
4. Claimed that original ownership of forests was with the state.
5. Waste lands and fallow lands were included as forests.
6. Shifting cultivation practiced by the tribal people was prohibited.
7. Alienation of forests from local control was stiffly resisted by the aggrieved tribals and the nationalists.
8. The uprising of Adivasis (1922-24) organized by Alluri Sitarama Raju in Rampa.
9. He made Adivasi areas – the forest area along the Godawari district Vishakapatnam (Eastern ghats) his home.
10. The Adivasis lived in utter poverty and were harassed by police, forest, and revenue officials.
11. The efforts of Raju against corrupt officials to protect the interests of Rampa tribals altered the British to target his life.
12. A special team of Malabar police was sent to suppress the uprising of Rampa Adivasis in 1922-24.
13. For the cause of forest dwellers, Alluri Sitarama Raju attained martyrdom.