CH. V 



MAN AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS 87 



Several writers deny that the damage done is as light 

 as is contended by the advocates of abolition of fire-pro- 

 tection. Even so, if it be admitted that a considerable 

 reduction in the marketable value of timber is caused 

 by fires, the problem which faces the forester is : Is it 

 better to have a crop which continues to be constituted 

 largely of teak, many of which, however, are damaged 

 by fire, or to have a crop which will not so be damaged 

 by fire (although it may be injured by suppression), but 

 which is steadily diminishing ? Undoubtedly, the former 

 will at once appear to be the lesser evil, for cultural 

 operations in the way of removing the dominant bamboos 

 or other trees would not only not be sufficiently effica- 

 cious but would be probably beyond the capabilities of 

 the forest staff, both as regards available labour and 

 funds to pay for it. As, however, there may be certain 

 factors which have not been taken sufficiently into con- 

 sideration, the Government of India, with wise fore- 

 thought, have directed that experiments be carried 

 out side by side, with and without fire-protection, in 

 different parts of Burma, in order that all facts be 

 carefully studied on the spot and hasty decisions be not 

 arrived at. 



For the teak forests of the Indian peninsula, which 

 are not threatened in the same way by invading 

 bamboos and other shade-enduring species, the consensus 

 of opinion is strongly in favour of fire-protection. It 

 must be said also that in these forests forest fires are 

 probably much fiercer than those of Burma, and that 

 the damage done by them is much greater. 



A similar treatment with fire as proposed for the 

 Burma teak forests has also been suggested for the Sal 

 (Shorea robusta) forests of Assam, on account of the 

 heavy undergrowth of shrubs, canes, etc., which springs 

 up under the cover of these forests and suppresses the 

 young growth of Sal. But this proposal, if followed, 

 is much more difficult to carry out than in the Burma 

 forests ; for Sal, according to all accounts, is more sensi- 

 tive to fire, and its seed, which is very delicate, would be 



