• Deforestation: during the British rule, India witnessed massive deforestation due to intensified commercial exploitation of forests for timber, fuel, and agricultural expansion.
• Soil Erosion: Rampant deforestation led to soil erosion, which, in turn, resulted in degradation of fertile land as well as caused frequent floods.
• Famine: British policies of monoculture and cash crops resulted in the failure of traditional agriculture that relied on multiple crops leading to widespread famine.
• Disruption of Water Cycle: Many irrigation systems were built to meet the needs of cash crop production, resulting in the disruption of natural water cycles and the depletion of water resources.
• Industrial Pollution: The colonial rulers introduced industries, with inadequate pollution control measures, which lead to environmental degradation in some parts of India.
• Natural Disasters: British rule also saw several natural disasters such as earthquakes, cyclones, famines, droughts, etc., which led to huge losses of life and property.
• Impact on Governance: The British colonizers introduced land ownership policies that led to the displacement of tribals from their lands and created conflict over natural resources which still persists.

All in all, the environmental challenges experienced during the British rule had a severe impact on Indian society, the economy, and the environment.