270 GOVERNMENT DEMAND FOR TIMBER. 



demand, is almost inexhaustible; when, how- 

 ever, large babul comes into use as fuel, this 

 statement will require modification." 



The forests in the Government districts are 

 admirably looked after by the active officer at 

 the head of the dej^artment and his two assist- 

 ants ; but those in the territory of His Highness 

 Meer Ali Moorad are utterly neglected, as only 

 valued by him for the game that they produce. 

 The consequence is that vast tracts of the most 

 productive land that he possesses do not bring in 

 one rupee of revenue, whilst the income arising 

 from the forests under Government manage- 

 ment amounts to upwards of sixty thousand 

 rupees per annum, and is steadily increas- 

 ing. This revenue is derived from the sale of 

 timber, firewood, charcoal, bark, reeds, gum, 

 honey, &c., and the collection of grazing fees. 

 The number of cattle grazing in the Govern- 

 ment forests, according to a recent report, 

 amounted to 98,000. At present the forest 

 land, taking beegah for beegah, pays more than 

 land under cultivation; but of course it will 

 only do this up to a certain quantity. 



The Sindh forests are not only valuable for 

 supplying timber and fuel for the steamers. 



