The tribes became the victims of the British rule. Gathering forest produce, cattle rearing, shifting cultivation, and hunting were their major means of livelihood. The Forest Acts imposed by the British made their life miserable.
They were prohibited to enter forest when the British declared forests as protected.The forests that were abundant with trees required by the British were declared as protected forests.
The British widely felled trees from forests to lay railway lines and build ships, and for plantation. The British levied tax at higher rates on the forest produce collected by the tribes.
