Industrialization and its impact on environment in colonial Assam

The British occupation of Assam brought a revolutionary change to the economy of Assam. Gradually Assam not only lost its self-sufficiency but also lost its trade relation with other foreign countries. The tea, coal and oil industries created a new demand and opened up fresh avenues for the development of ancillary industries. It had far reaching impact upon the socio-cultural, political, ecological as well economic sphere of the people of Assam. Industrialization led to the encroachment of forest. Industrialization also affected the environment of Assam in many ways. The main objectives of the work is to examine the impact of industrialization on environment during that period. An attempt has been made to show through coal, oil and tea industry how the natural resources of Assam were exploited by the British government to suit their colonial motives and what was the benefit of the local people.