Ill 



PREFACE. 



THE preparation of working plans for the forests of the Damoh Division was first taken 

 in hand in 1894 by a Ranger, styled Working Plans Assistant, under the direct orders of the 

 Conservator. These working plans were each for small areas selected here and there, where 

 a demand was expected. After a year's trial they were replaced by plans each framed for 

 separate ranges, but, like the original plans for the forests of the Hoshangabad, Narsinghpur, 

 Jubbulpore and Betul Divisions, these were based on principles which were not found quite 

 practical. Accordingly, in January 1898, I decided to undertake, with the help of the Work- 

 ing Plans Assistant, to draw up a single plan for the entire Division. While the work was in 

 progress, Mr. Hole, Assistant Conservator, who had been on special duty with me for the 

 preparation of working plans, was fortunately posted to the charge of the Division in Septem- 

 ber of the same year, and I at once made it over to him. He knew all my ideas on the 

 subject and his daily contact with the forests was a guarantee that no local conditions or 

 requirements would be overlooked. The rough draft was ready by the following November 

 and the plan was at once put into execution as the best test to which it could be subjected 

 before submission for sanction. The result of one season's experience (1898-99) established 

 its practical character. It would have had the benefit of yet another season (1899-1900) of 

 trial, had not the present famine unfortunately intervened to keep its provisions in abeyance 

 owing to the free forest concessions granted to the starving labouring classes and to the 

 straitened circumstances and consequent greatly reduced purchasing capacity of the people of 

 the Damoh and surrounding districts. This circumstance need not, however, delay the sub- 

 mission of the plan, for the demand on the forests for wood is even in normal times so limited, 

 that it is certain that a second year of trial would not affect the general frame-work of the plan, 

 Mr. Hole, who had in the meantime been transferred to the charge of another Division, 

 was good enough, in spite of his heavy current duties, to collaborate with me in preparing 

 the final draft for publication and Part I, except for a little editing, is his share of the work, 



CAMP NARSINGHPUR : \ E. E. FERNANDEZ, 



fhe 1 Ith May 1900. ) Conservator of Forests, 



Northern Circle, Central Provinces, 



