GAME PROTECTION IN INDIA 277 



more enlightened knowledge than has been displayed in 

 the past. In the interests of the hard-working ryot, a 

 man of few joys, all that can possibly be done for his 

 protection should be carried out. But the village shikari 

 who lives by his gun should be discouraged. And the 

 poacher should be put down with a firm hand. 



The 1912 Act makes no mention of the granting of rewards 

 for the slaughter of noxious animals or birds. This is a 

 departure in the right direction. The matter can be safely 

 left in the hands of the Local Governments and such grants 

 should be made with discrimination and discretion. In my 

 paper already alluded to I made the following remarks on 

 this subject : 



" I am of opinion that Game rewards in general should be 

 abolished and that no provision on the subject should be 

 included in the Game Act. 



" It would be quite within the power of the Local Govern- 

 ment to issue rewards for the destruction of a particular 

 species which is on the increase and becoming a danger 

 either to public life or property or to the sporting interests 

 of a particular area of country. 



" Also, save in exceptional cases, e.g., rogue elephants and 

 man-eaters, I would abolish the giving of a reward for every 

 tiger, leopard, wild dog or wolf slain. 



" Where any of these animals were becoming a pest or 

 scourge to the community or endangering the head of game 

 of other species in any locality, the. Local Government 

 should notify or empower its officers to notify a reward or 

 scale of rewards to remain in force until the danger is past 

 and the balance of power between man and animal or animal 

 and animal is once more normal. The rewards on the 

 proscribed animals should then be taken off. 



" Every shooting season nowadays sees an army of eager 

 sportsmen competing for blocks and shooting-permits, and 

 surely the giving of the old-time reward for a tiger is quite 

 unnecessary. I would leave the grant of rewards or offer of 

 rewards to the discretion of the District Officer or Forest 

 Officer. They would when necessary proclaim such and such 

 an animal to be a man-eater or cattle-lifter of notoriety and 

 would fix a reward upon the animal, procuring, if considered 

 necessary, the sanction of the Commissioner or Conservator 

 to their doing so. Why Government should nowadays pay a 

 reward of from Rupees 20 to R. 50 for a tiger which may 



