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of the mesh of nets, so would prohibit nettinn^ from July to Seplemhor 

 inelusivo. Kespecting- the 6th proposition, " it is one that mi^lit be 

 easily carried out, as there are numbers of pools on all rivers which be- 

 long; to no one, but which are netted and weired. Any sneh might be 

 declared puljlic pioperty, and all fishing', except by rod and line, piohi- 

 bited." Levying licensus, it is considered, would not answer, as such 

 would require a hirge establishment to see it carried out. Otters do not 

 destroy fish in the proportion man does, and offering- sufficient rewards 

 would be very expensive. "If rules for the preservation offish are 

 introduced, there must be punitive measures also, as without these no 

 amount of rules will have any effect on tlie natives. The punishments, 

 to 1)0 of any avail, should be heavy, as the diiliculty in bringing home 

 offences is so groat that liglit punishments would have no clFcct." 

 " The rivers in which rules are to bo enforced should be jiublicly luoclaimcd, 

 as some, such as the Aleknunda, Pindur, and other snow rivers, are of 

 sucli a nature that fish cannot easily be destroyed. It is the warmer and 

 shallow streams which are the spawning-beds, and where the greatest 

 mischief is done. A small establishment might be necessary for patrol- 

 ling, but these could be paid out of the fines. Even if Government 

 had to pay them, considering the benefit that must eventually arise from 

 the preservation offish, the money would be well spent. In conclusion, 

 I would add that I have not, owing to the nature of the district, been 

 able to give statistics in support of mj' arguments; but having- taken a 

 considerable interest in the matter, and knowing the amount of unne- 

 cessary destruction that is caused to fish, I feel sure that unless some 

 measures are taken for their preservation in our hill-streams, the better 

 kinds, wliich have already decreased in quantity, must soon become very 

 scarce; and my opinion is not only based on personal observation, but 

 on what I have been told by the people themselves." The SiipenuleiKlcnt, 

 Titrai Dislricl (January 20th, 1872), observed — that the pergunnahs 

 forming this district stretch along the foot of the Himalayas, having 

 nowhere a greater width than 11 miles. They are traversed by streams 

 whicli debouch from the hills; whilst, in the pergunnahs themselves, rise 

 numerous springs, which, increasing in volume, finally, as nallas, fall 

 (some in the Turai itself, and some in the country to the south) into 

 these hill-streams. The streams from the hills are dry during the hot 

 weather, and the discharge from the other rivulets is but small. 'J'lie 

 greater number of these smaller streams are used fur irrigatiou, and for 

 the cultivation of rice. This was formerly done by the erection of large 

 earthen dams, which, backing up the waters for some distance, formed 

 places favourable for fish. An escape permitting a free passage for fish 

 generally existed. On sanitary grounds these bunds have been re- 

 moved, and onl)' dug-out channels are now permitted. The whole com- 

 munity, except a few proliibited by caste, are consumers of lisli, wliich 

 are generally caught by the Deemur caste, but others, when at leisure, 

 also employ themselves in this pursuit. Amongst tlie Bhoksas and 

 Tharoors, the whole inhabitants of villages will go together at a time 

 hunting for fish. "With the exception of tlie " rob," "sol," and "kerril," 

 the fish spawn in Asarh, but these do so in (^hait. The mahaseer are 

 so few they are not worth taking into account. The three fish men- 

 tioned are the only ones fi to eat according- to Eurtipean taste. All 



