IJREH | Altered Terrain: Colonial Encroachment and Environmental Changes in Cachar, Assam

Indexing and Abstracting

Altered Terrain: Colonial Encroachment and Environmental Changes in Cachar, Assam

Mohd Shakir Hussain Choudhury , Rupali Daulagajao

International Journal of Rural Development, Environment and Health Research(IJREH), Vol-8,Issue-2, April - June 2024, Pages 54-60, 10.22161/ijreh.8.2.6

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Article Info: Received: 25 Feb 2023; Received in revised form: 05 Apr 2024; Accepted: 15 Apr 2024; Available online: 26 Apr 2024

Abstract:

The beginning of colonial policy in the area was signaled by the British annexation of the Cachar district in southern Assam in 1832. The region became an alluring investment opportunity for Europeans after British rule over Cachar, especially after the accidental discovery of wild tea in 1855. Within this historical context, this study explores three major stages that characterize the evolution of nature. First, it examines the distribution and growth of tea plantations, examining their size and rate of expansion. The second aspect of the study examines the consequences of land concessions, which led to the initial loss of native forests. Finally, the study investigates the increased strain on forests caused by migrant workers' demands. It also highlights the crucial role that the Forest Department plays in protecting these natural habitats from the invasion of tea planters. This study aims to analyze the intricate relationship between colonialism and the altered landscape of Cachar, Assam, by means of a thorough investigation, shedding light on the environmental, economic, and societal aspects of this historical transformation.

Keywords:

Cachar, Colonial policies, Forest Department, Land grants, Tea plantation

References:

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