The rise and fall of Van Taungiyas
1924-25 to 1934-35
The taungiya scheme started during this working plan. The Britishers had to take up plantation on an urgent basis as the natural forest was stripped nearly bare by commercial harvesting. This plan was continued till 1944-45.
1944-45 to 1953-54
A decade later, the working plan describes the success of the taungiya scheme: "It has been realised that regeneration by coppice will in future only very rarely be possible and, as a rule, artificial regeneration by the taungiya (method) will...be necessary (everywhere).'
1954-55 to 1963-64
During this period, doubts were raised by the Indian government over the continuity of the scheme. But the system survived. "The general uplift of the rural masses, improved education, ...rising standard of living, spreading socialist beliefs and the widely accepted idea that the cultivator should be the proprietor of the soil he cultivates, are indications that (the) taungiya (scheme) is (heading for) doom,' states the working plan. The government feared that with heightened awareness the taungiyas would seek ownership of land.
1964-65 to 1973-74
Post-Independence, for the first time the government lauded the programme's success. "...the taungiya system has been operated with satisfactory results to date. It, therefore, seems obvious that this system should be continued,' points out the working plan.
1974-75 to 1983-84
This working plan set the eviction of taungiyas in motion, observing: "They are expected to execute an agreement deed before the land is allocated to them each year but this is not being done. Giving forestland for cultivation without any agreement in writing might present problems (some day). This a serious lapse.' The scheme got a burial in 1983.