4.1.1. Land to be Improved

In 1600, approximately one-sixth of India’s landmass was under cultivation. Now that figure has gone up to about half. As population increased over the centuries and the demand for food went up, peasants extended the boundaries of cultivation, clearing forests and breaking new land.

Initially, only a small portion, one-sixth, of India's land was cultivated for agriculture. Over time, due to population growth and the rising demand for food, this area increased dramatically to about half of the country's land. This expansion required clearing forests and converting them into farmland, which significantly impacted forest areas.

Imagine a small town growing rapidly—more people need houses and food, so fields and forests are cleared to make space for new farms and homes. This reflects how society often prioritizes immediate needs over long-term ecological health.

In the colonial period, cultivation expanded rapidly for a variety of reasons. First, the British directly encouraged the production of commercial crops like jute, sugar, wheat and cotton.

During the British colonial period, agricultural practices in India shifted significantly. The British promoted the cultivation of cash crops (commercial crops for export), which influenced farming choices. Peasants were encouraged to switch from subsistence farming (growing food for personal consumption) to producing crops that would generate profit, further leading to the clearing of forests for farmlands.

Think of the difference between growing vegetables for a family and cultivating them to sell at a market for profit. Similar to farmers compelled to grow cash crops like cotton, they must clear more land to meet market demands, often at the expense of local ecosystems.

The idea that uncultivated land had to be taken over and improved was popular with colonisers everywhere in the world. It was an argument that justified conquest.

Colonizers often viewed uncultivated or 'wilderness' land as wasted. They believed that transforming this land into agricultural or commercial use represented 'improvement' and was their right or duty. This mindset rationalized the appropriation of native lands, as colonizers aimed to control and exploit these resources.

Consider a lush forest area being cleared for a shopping mall. Those who promote this might argue it's for economic development and progress, despite disregarding the ecological loss. Just like in colonial times, there is often a belief that changing land use is inherently beneficial.

But we should not forget that for land to be brought under the plough, forests have to be cleared.

This statement highlights a crucial point: the expansion of agricultural lands directly results in the destruction of forests. Every time farmers clear a forest to plant crops, it results in a loss of biodiversity, disruption of ecosystems, and changes to the local climate, demonstrating a conflict between agricultural growth and forest conservation.

Think about a neighborhood that is expanding. To build new homes, trees are cut down, leading to fewer birds, decreased shade in the summer, and increased heat in the area. It's a trade-off where the immediate need for housing impacts the environment negatively.

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