82 THE FOREST LAtfDS OF 



formation of plantain gardens, and Dr Cleghorn reported : 

 'The green hills have been stripped of their woods, and 

 much of their beauty has departed. The reckless cutting 

 there, however, has been rigorously checked by the Col- 

 lector, under orders from Government/ 



This, however, was not deemed sufficient, and the 

 Collector of Madura was called on to report whether he 

 had succeeded in putting an entire stop to the devastation 

 previously carried on on the slopes of the Pulmy Hills by 

 the formation of these plantain gardens. 



While this was being done, the practicability of carrying 

 on such operations without detriment to the forests, was 

 demonstrated by the establishment of tea and chinch ona 

 plantations in connection with the forest administration. 



In reference to the report made by Dr Cleghorn, it is 

 stated in the minutes of consultation, under date 30th 

 March 1859 : * The Conservator responds to the call 

 made upon him in E.M.C., 28th July 1857, to report fully 

 on the Koomaree system of cultivation. Dr Cleghorn has 

 consulted various persons whose opinions on the subject 

 may be considered to bear weight, and has come to the 

 conclusion that it is neither possible nor desirable to 

 suppress Koomaree cultivation altogether, but that it 

 should be carried on under stringent regulations, the 

 chief of them being that a previous application for a 

 specified extent should be made in every case, and that 

 any unauthorised operations should be punished by severe 

 fine ; and that it should be wholly prohibited and stopped 

 in the neighbourhood of trunk roads, navigable rivers, or 

 the sea-shore, as well as in all localities where there is 

 valuable timber. These views appear to the Governor in 

 Council to be judicious and practical ; but before issuing 

 final orders on the subject, he resolves to refer the ques- 

 tion for the consideration of the Board of Revenue, who 

 have had the question of Koomaree under their considera- 

 tion at various times within the last few years. What- 

 ever rules may be established, the active co-operation of the 

 Revenue Department will be necessary to enforce them/ 



