12 MANUAL OF THE NILAGIRI DISTRICT. 



CHAP. II. acres. From more recent calculations made by the Deputy 

 General Superintendent of the Revenue Survey, Lieutenant-Colonel 

 Description. Cloete, this figure appears to be excessive. Colonel Cloete 

 estimates the area, exclusive of tlie Oucliterlony Valley^ approxi- 

 mately at 695 square miles, or 444,800 acres. The following 

 statement shows this estimate in detail : — 



Correct Areas Surveyed. 



The area of the plateau is estimated approximately at 478*87 

 square miles. Of this extent more than a fourth part is under 

 occupation, probably about 79,360 acres, or 124 square miles. By 

 the revenue accounts the ayacut ^ area of the district, excluding 

 the Ouchterlony Valley, is 480 square miles, of which about 

 114 square miles are termed assessed, or culturable. 



The swamps occupy about one-sixtieth part, or 8"87 miles, the 

 woods and plantations one-tenth, or 45 square miles. Thus there 

 remain 303 square miles of waste, rather less than 200,000 acres, 

 which is chiefly utilised for grazing cattle by the hill tribes. 



In 1847, by Major Ouchterlony's survey,^ the area of the plateau, 

 excluding the Kundas and slopes, is returned as 268,494 acres, 

 420 square miles, of which 23,772 acres, or 37 square miles, were 



up the latter Btream to Gfiltlr Hill, then west and south round Benne Teak Forest, 

 crossing two paths from Mudiimale to the Battery (Sultan's) and Gundalpet road, 

 and crossing the main road from GiSdaliir to the Battery at the 17th mile stake 

 from Gddaltjr; the boundaiy then follows a crooked line, generally westerly 

 through paddy flats to the tri-j unction of the Gana]iathi, Cheranikdd, and Mupeindd 

 amshonis on tlie banks of the Choladi river, then south, down the course of that 

 river, and eastward along a Hue generally a little below the crest of the ghdts up 

 to Nilagiri Peak. 



' The areas of the three ndds do not include the areas of the Settlements. 



'^ Lands belonging to a village and entered in the village register of lauds. 



2 See Report, Madras Jourual L. S., December 18'18. 



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