WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The railway network started expanding rapidly during the second half of the 19th century. By 1890, the length of the railway track was about 25, 500 km. It touched the figure of 7, 65, 000 km in 1946. Was this answer helpful?

Detailed explanation-2: -Forests were cleared to expand the railway in India in the early 19th century to fulfill the rising demand for timber. The cutting of trees was done on a contract basis and the contracts were mostly given by the government.

Detailed explanation-3: -The trees that were cut were used as sleepers to hold railway tracks together and as fuel to run locomotives. Additionally, the government granted contracts to local contractors for supplying timber for sleepers. This also led to indiscriminate tree-felling.

Detailed explanation-4: -With the introduction of railways in India in the 18th century, the demand for Timber rose which was due to the reason that the train tracks were made up of Timber, and to run the locomotive wood as fuel was required. During this time Timber was also used to make weapons and ships.