clviii 



of the mesh of nets, so would prohibit netting- from July to September 

 inclusive. Respecting 1 the 6th proposition, " it is one that might be 

 easily carried out, as there are numbers of pools on all rivers which be- 

 long- to no one, but which are netted and weired. Any such might be 

 declared public property, and all fishing, except by rod and line, prohi- 

 bited. " Levying licenses, it is considered, would not answer, as such 

 would require a large establishment to see it carried out. Otters do not 

 destroy fish in the proportion man does, and offering sufficient rewards 

 would be very expensive. " If rules for the preservation of fish are 

 introduced, there must be punitive measures also, as without these no 

 amount of rules will have any effect on the natives. The punishments, 

 to be of any avail, should be heavy, as the difficulty in bringing home 

 offences is so great that light punishments would have no effect/' 

 " The rivers in which rules are to be enforced should be publicly proclaimed, 

 as some, such as the Aleknunda, Pindur, and other * snow rivers, are of 

 such a nature that fish cannot easily be destroyed. It is the warmer and 

 shallow streams which are the spawning-beds, and where the greatest 

 mischief is done. A small establishment might be necessary for patrol- 

 ling, but these could be paid out of the fines. Even if Government 

 had to pay them, considering the benefit that must eventually arise from 

 the preservation of fish, the money would be well spent. In conclusion, 

 I would add that I have not, owing to the nature of the district, been 

 able to give statistics in support of my arguments ; but having taken a 

 considerable interest in the matter, and knowing the amount of unne- 

 cessary destruction that is caused to fish, I feel sure that unless some 

 measures are taken for their preservation in our hill-streams, the better 

 kinds, which have already decreased in quantity, must soon become very 

 scarce ; and my opinion is not only based on personal observation, but 

 on what I have been told by the people themselves." The Superintendent, 

 Tumi District (January 20th, 1872), observed that the pergunnahs 

 forming this district stretch along the foot of the Himalayas, having 

 nowhere a greater width than 14 miles. They are traversed by streams 

 which debouch from the hills; whilst, in the pergunnahs themselves, rise 

 numerous springs, which, increasing in volume, finally, as nallas, fall 

 (some in the Turai itself, and some in the country to the south) into 

 these hill-streams. The streams from the hills are dry during the hot 

 weather, and the discharge from the other rivulets is but small. The 

 greater number of these smaller streams are used for irrigation, and for 

 the cultivation of rice. This was formerly done by the erection of large 

 earthen dams, which, backing up the waters for some distance, formed 

 places favourable for fish. An escape permitting a free passage for fish 

 generally existed. On sanitary grounds these bunds have been re- 

 moved, and only dug-out channels are now permitted. The whole com- 

 munity, except a few prohibited by caste, are consumers of fish, which 

 are generally caught by the Deemur caste, but others, when at leisure, 

 also employ themselves in this pursuit. Amongst the Bhoksas and 

 Tharoors, the whole inhabitants of villages will go together at a time 

 hunting for fish. "With the exception of the " rob," <c sol," and "kerril," 

 the fish spawn in Asarh, but these do so in Chait. The mahaseer are 

 so few they are not worth taking into account. The three fish men- 

 tioned are the only ones fit to eat according to European taste. All 



