Tribal people always relate themselves with their forests. Due to historic reasons, their entire existence depended on forests. It is believed that the economic system of forest is equal to the tribal economic system. But in fact, it is different. Not only the economic system, but also the cultural aspects and belief systems were co-related with the forests.
In the mid-19th century, the Government decided to extend its powers to every part of the State which was neglected. Due to this extension, landlords were under stress and were uncomfortable. Government enacted legislations to assert its control over forest and forest dwellers to protect the forests. These Acts were similar to the Acts introduced in India by the British Government.
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The First Forest Act of 1865 was the first attempt in the direction of regulation of collection of forest produce by the forest dwellers.
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The Forest Act of 1878 was the second step in the direction of further extension of State’s authority over forests.
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The control over forests was further tightened by prohibiting certain activities such as trespass or pasturing of cattle, and declaring certain activities as forest offences by the 1878 Act.
The First Forest Policy of 1894 envisaged, for the first time, the regulation of rights and restriction of privileges of the users in the forests.
The British Government introduced the Land Transfer Act in 1917. It was a reaction to the rebellions which occurred mainly in the Agency areas of Andhra region of the Madras State. This Act banned the land transfer between the tribals and non-tribals.
However, the Nizam Government did not take any care for the land rights of the tribals. By using this as an advantage, the non-locals migrating from other areas occupied the lands of the tribals and were also able to register the lands in their names.
