390 India. 



the rapid change now taking place in the status of 

 classification. 



The name of B. H. Baden-Powell, at one time con- 

 servator of the Punjab and Acting Inspector-General 

 of Forests during 1872-4, is closely connected with 

 placing this forest legislation on a sound basis. The 

 object of this legislation was mainly to settle the ques- 

 tion of ownership and rights, hence reserved forests 

 are not necessarily set aside for forest purposes like 

 the forest reservation sinthe United States, although 

 ultimately this will probably be their condition. 



Rights of user were under this legislation regulated 

 or commuted. In some parts, even on the reserved 

 forest areas, there are still retained rights to cut 

 taungyas, i.e., to make partial clearings for temporary 

 agricultural use, under the restriction of not destroy- 

 ing teak trees over 18 inches in diameter, and with 

 the right of the cultivators to supply their domestic 

 needs, under obligation to cut out fire traces, burning 

 the brush, and instituting similar protective measures. 



The title to the forest property having been secured, 

 its permanent demarcation and a survey of the same 

 were the next steps; the first having gradually been 

 nearly accomplished, the latter being still far in arrears. 



The area of private and communal forests is not pre- 

 cisely known, but, including waste land and lands of 

 uncertain conditions, there are at least 500,000 square 

 miles so owned, including those of feudatory rulers 

 within the provinces. Of these, some 500 square miles 

 or more of forest are leased to the government and 

 under its control; and in some cases forest adminis- 

 trations are instituted by the rajahs themselves. 



