ABSTRACT
North-east in general and Naga Hills (presently the state of Nagaland) in particular are endowed with rich forest resources. The entry of colonial power in Assam has changed the character of forest resources. Naga Hills formed a district in Assam province. The British regarded the forests as a source of revenue. As a result the colonial power followed a certain policies with a view to exploit the forest resources. This in turn had a tremendous effect on environment, society and the economy. The impact was not the same in the plains and the hills. The Naga were born, grew and lived in the forest. So for them the difference between forest and non-forest (cultivable agricultural land, pasture and forest, etc.) did not exist. Forest was part and parcel of their lives. Hence forest produce was also integral to the lives of hill people. They had unfettered access to the forest produce before the coming of the British. However, the British tried to intervene in the lives of Nagas with its stated mission of civilizing the supposed savage tribes. This paper seeks to explain the way in which the colonial state tried to exert its power and authority on the forest and its produce in the Naga Hills. The first part deals with the constitution of Reserve and various rules which are aimed at controlling the forest produce and third with causes and factors which led to the deforestation in Naga Hills.
