BHIE-143 IGNOU Solved Assignment 2026-27

BHIE-143 Solved Assignment (TMA) History of Environment (English/Hindi)

The Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) for BHIE-143 is a mandatory component (30% weightage) of IGNOU’s Bachelor of Arts (BAG) program, designed to evaluate understanding of historical environmental dynamics. Below are verified solutions for key units, structured per IGNOU’s official curriculum and word limits.

Unit-8: Colonialism and Environment Green Imperialism

This unit examines how European colonial powers exploited natural resources during the 18th–19th centuries, framing resource extraction as a 'civilizing mission.' Key themes include:

• Deforestation and resource depletion in India under British rule, particularly in tea/coffee plantations.
• Scientific racism and environmental policies justifying exploitation (e.g., 'preservation' of forests for colonial economies).
• Case study: The Chota Nagpur Plateau and its transformation under British mining laws.

Sample TMA Answer (250 words): 'Colonialism’s environmental impact in India was systemic, with British policies prioritizing resource extraction over sustainability. The Forest Acts (1865, 1878) criminalized local land use while enabling large-scale timber trade. For instance, the Chota Nagpur Plateau saw forced labor for coal mining, displacing indigenous communities. The myth of 'green imperialism'—where colonial powers framed conservation as altruistic—masked economic exploitation. Primary sources like Sir Dietrich Brandis’ reports