British Forest Policy in the Lushai Hills, 1896-1951

Abstract

This paper intends to focus on the nature of British colonialism concerning the Lushai hill people and its cultural geography. It argues that through several policies (especially the inner line regulations), British rule caused damage to forest resources and the local population. Imperial regulations, most notably, divided peoples and resources of the hills and plains along imaginary lines, thereby curtailing their contacts and exchanges that used to thrive in the past. The Lushai country came under the charge of the administration of Assam on 1^st April 1898. It was under the charge of an officer who was known as the 'Superintendent of Lushai Hills'. However, absolutely non-interference was laid in principle and not applied in all cases. With the notification and creation of Inner Line Reserve in 1904 under the jurisdiction of the Superintendant, Lushai Hills special forest rules were implemented in this region to protect the Lushai from the plainsman. However, the Assam Forest Regulation was not applicable in the area. The superintendent of Lushai Hills restricted the jhum cultivation (shifting cultivation). A line was drawn along the northern and eastern foothills of Assam and the hills were viewed as inside the inner line. The social formation inside the line was perceived as beyond modern-state intervention. The Inner Line was formed to identify the British subject and to secure the tea planters in the Assam Valley. The British also sought to monopolize the trade items such as pottery, salt and rubber. From the forest, the colonial state extracted a large amount of revenue. Along with it and as a result introduction of agriculture horticulture and timber extraction, the diverse biological species of the region were devastated.