IN AN INDIAN FOREST RESERVE 271 



change; and the place had fallen mto the hands 

 of a hunnia^ who cannot find it a very profitable 

 property, I should imagine. The great thing which 

 I learnt was that the bungalow — only the bare 

 walls, of course — was available for the use of any 

 one who cared to use it. I promised myself a few 

 days' holiday there provided there should prove to 

 be any chance of sport, which I had sent my shikari 

 out to ascertain. 



On his return he made a favourable report. The 

 reverse slope of the hills forming the valley I have 

 mentioned was, he said, forest reserve, and con- 

 tained plenty of blue-bull ; and there were panthers, 

 one having killed a calf only that week. 



I think I should here explain what a "forest 

 reserve" is. To prevent the reckless destruction 

 by the natives of all the timber, Government has 

 marked out all through India enormous tracts as 

 forest reserve. No wood-cutting is allowed in these, 

 and they are walled round to prevent cattle enter- 

 ing them. In such wooded districts as Central India 

 they form real forests of sal or teak, and are watched 

 with jealous care — no shooting even being allowed 

 in them, except during the rains, for fear of forest 

 fires. In Rajputana they vary according to the 

 district. In the reserves I am speaking of it would 

 be difficult to find a timber tree — the growth, as a 

 rule, being low jungle with thorn bushes. Nobody 

 can doubt, however, that they will in time form 

 real forests and be very beneficial to the country. 

 All over India these reserves form natural strong- 

 holds for the game, who are not only safe there 

 from native guns, but even from disturbance by 

 cattle and their guardians. I have even seen it 



