Consider the following statements with reference to Uttarakhand:

(1) The British Government constituted the Forest Grievances Committee in 1921 under the chairmanship of P. Wyndham.

(2) This Committee is also known as the Kumaon Forest Complaints Committee.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The correct answer is Both (1) and (2).

Key Points

• The Forest Grievances Committee was constituted by the British Government in 1921 under the chairmanship of P. Wyndham.
• This committee was established to address the grievances and complaints of the local people in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, related to forest policies.
• The committee is also commonly referred to as the Kumaon Forest Complaints Committee, owing to its focus on the Kumaon region.
• The grievances arose due to the restrictive forest laws introduced by the British, which limited the rights of locals for grazing, wood collection, and other forest-related activities.
• The committee's work was instrumental in shaping the forest management practices in the region, ensuring some level of community participation.

Additional Information

• Historical Context of Forest Laws:
  • The British colonial government enacted restrictive forest laws under the Indian Forest Act of 1878, which curtailed the rights of local communities to access forest resources.
  • The act classified forests into three categories: Reserved Forests, Protected Forests, and Village Forests, with reserved forests having the strictest regulations.
• Kumaon Region:
  • Kumaon is a region in present-day Uttarakhand, known for its rich biodiversity and dependence on forests for livelihood by local communities.
  • The region became a focal point for forest-related movements and reforms during the British era.
• Forest Movements in Uttarakhand:
  • Movements like the Chipko Movement (1970s) have their roots in the historical grievances related to forest access and management.
  • These movements emphasized sustainable use of forest resources and community rights.
• Modern Forest Management in Uttarakhand:
  • Today, Uttarakhand has adopted a participatory approach through Joint Forest Management (JFM), involving local communities in forest conservation.
  • Efforts are ongoing to balance conservation with the livelihood needs of forest-dependent communities.