# data[].attributes.body
Lord Dalhousie emphasized the need for a

definite forest policy.

# data[].attributes.body
The Indian Forests Act of 1865 extended the British Colonial claims over forests in India to

have access to timber for building railway tracks and ships.

# data[].attributes.body
This policy allowed the British unhindered

access to the forests for their own purposes but did not allow the forest dwellers or villagers access as it was deemed that the customary use of the forests by the villagers

was not a ‘right’, but a ‘privilege’ that could be withdrawn at will.

# data[].attributes.body
The Indian Forest Act, 1927. This Act does not lay down a specific definition for forests. The act establishes three categories of forests -- reserve forest, protected forest, and village forest. It was mainly passed to

allow the British to declare forests as state property to exploit timber.

# data[].attributes.body
‘National interests’ overrode all interests and

forests were viewed as a national asset.

Priorities and interests and claims of the local communities around forest areas came second.

# data[].attributes.body
National Commission on Agriculture recommended that the wood from the forests be used for industrial purposes.

# data[].attributes.body
Forest Conservation Act, 1980 was passed to check further deforestation and conserve

forests. Major objectives included prevention of felling of naturally grown trees and restricting the use of forest land for non-forest purposes.

# data[].attributes.body
National Forest Policy 1988 was enacted. This act was very different in its approach towards management of forests in comparison to the post- independence Forest Policy of 1952.

# data[].attributes.body
The Forest Rights Act, 2007 allows the traditional forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes to hold and live in the forestland for habitation, to use forest produce and use one hectare of forest land for schools, hospitals, etc.