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CHAPTEE II. 



PROTECTION FORESTS. 



By protection forests, in the present sense, are understood 

 forests which must be maintained as such on account of their 

 influence upon the welfare of the community as a whole, more 

 especially for the protection against natural phenomena and 

 the effect upon the climate. Such forests may be the 

 property of the State, communes, or private persons. 



The law of the country should provide for the formation of 

 protection forests, if they are required for one of the following 

 purposes : — 



(1.) Preservation of the soil, especially on hill sides and 

 ^Yhere shifting sands occur, so as to prevent erosion, denuda- 

 tion, landslips, the formation of ravines, the silting up of 

 fertile lands at the foot of hills and of river beds, or the 

 extension of shifting sands near the sea shore as well as 

 inland. 



(2.) Preservation and regulation of the water supply in 

 springs and rivers, so as to secure an even flow and prevent 

 floods, or, where the water is required for irrigation, power, or 

 other purposes, to reduce evaporation in the catchment areas. 



(3.) Protection against injurious air currents, such as gales, 

 cold or hot winds. 



(4.) For the benefit of the public health. 



(5.) For the prevention of avalanches. 



(6.) For the defence of the country. 



Protection forests may be subject to special regulations in 

 respect of : — 



{(() the manner of cutting and working generally ; 



(J)) the execution of planting or sowing ; 



