Question

How many trees were being cut annually for sleepers in $1850$s in the Madras Presidency?
$a) 38,000$
$b) 35,890$
$c) 37,990$
$d) 35,000$

Answer 1

Hint: Each mile of railway track required between $1760$ and $2000$ sleepers from the $1860$ railway network expanded rapidly. Finally, we conclude the required answer

Complete answer:
Colonization by the British encouraged production of demand for the crops from India increased in Europe as the population increased across the years, demand for food went up.
Increased demand for timber due to the expansion of railways and for shipbuilding purposes.
The spread of railways from the $1850$s formed a new demand. Railways were fundamental for colonial trade and the evolution of imperial troops.
Large areas of forests were also deserted to make space for plantation yields. The British supported the production of crops like cotton, jute, sugar, etc.
Forests were also removed to make way for tea, coffee & rubber farms as Europeans were so fond of them.
During the early nineteenth century forests were cleared due to the expansion of the railway in the following ways. Railways demand railway sleepers which need high-quality timber.
For laborers who worked in laying tracks, they needed an area to live. After the expansion of railways, urbanization takes place.
So, the correct answer is Option D.

Note: Railway Sleepers are wooden planks laid across railway tracks. They hold the tracks in position. Within $1,760$ and $2,000$ sleepers are needed to lay $1$ mile of railway track. A single sleeper is approximately $10$ feet by $10$ inches by $5$ inches that are $3.5$ cubic feet. Timber for these sleepers came largely from the Sind Forests.
As the railway continued fast-expanding, there was a need for more and more trees to be cut.