66 HAPPY INDIA 



of this waste land which is now culturable is not very 

 far from every part of the districts, and as it is now 

 out of cultivation it might be planted with trees 

 for timber without abstracting any land from the 

 cultivated area, and in a period varying from six 

 months to three years, this land, if planted, might 

 begin to yield a considerable amount of wood suitable 

 for fuel. This afforestation in the Etawah district 

 is being carried out partly to save the land from 

 being damaged by erosion, 120,000 acres having 

 already been put out of culture by erosion ; also with 

 the intention of supplying wood for the use of the 

 people either for building, fuel, or other purposes, 

 and partly for the supply of fodder for the cattle 

 in the hot, dry season. The work can be cheaply 

 done, and it is very profitable, because the demand 

 for the wood is so great. 



