GENERAL REMARKS. 



same with grazing rights, tho reckless system pursued by Grazing rights, 

 ryots of depending chiefly on Government forests for their 

 grazing instead of on their own exertions, and economizing 

 their grass aud fodder of various kinds. What was the case 

 in England two hundred years ago ? where cattle were 

 slaughtered and salted, because they would not feed them 

 through the winter, so the ryot in the dry season seuds his 

 half-starved cattle into the public forests to destroy them 

 at his own sweet will, totally regardless of the mischief he 

 is doing not only to himself, but to the public at large, 

 in creating a decreased rainfall and scarcity of timber and 

 fuel. Surely, as I wrote before, the ryot should be saved from 

 his own destructive habits and taught that to destroy 

 forests is not the way to benefit himself, and that by a little 

 timely forethought, he might procure forage for his cattle 

 without having recourse to the reckless system pursued by 

 him for ages. The reckless destruction of his village jungle 

 deprives him of firewood, this leads to his burning cattle Burning cattle 

 manure for fuel. The field deteriorates in consequence, the damage caused, 

 crops are scanty, aud the ryot impoverished. By taking 

 some trouble, he could easily grow hedge row timber this 

 would supply building material and fuel, and thus lease the 

 manure for the fields. Alas, the ryot, ground down for 

 years by the Revenue officers, cares not to improve his 

 opportunities, and prefers a life of careless ease ? to one of 

 forethought and labour. All these circumstances combined 

 act and react one on the other, until it culminates in an 

 impoverished peasantry, ever ready to succumb on the first 

 season of scarcity. If we would improve the condition of the 

 ryot, it is absolutely necessary to commence from the very 

 foundation. It is not of the slightest use attempting to raise 

 the status of the ryot, so long as we leave the main points of Education of 

 his position untouched ; and until he is educated up to a cer- ryot> 

 tain point, he is quite incapable of appreciating any efforts 

 made in his favour. It may be urged that this has nothing 

 to do with forestry. I maintain it has, for we have to con- 

 sider communal rights and to teach the ryot not to encroach 



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