THE WORK OF THE FOREST DEPARTMENT IN INDIA. f 



(Hi) that as regards the effect of forest preservation on 

 rainfall and the underground water supply there 

 is nothing to justify any change in the principles 

 on which the forest policy of the Government has 

 hitherto been based. 



The circular in question also urged Local Governments to 

 use every effort to induce rulers of Native States and owners of 

 private land to co-operate in the protection of important catch- 

 ment areas and in the control of the injurious practice of shift- 

 ing cultivation. A summary of the enquiry and its results has 

 recently been published in the form of a note by Mr. M. Hill, 

 C.I.E. (Forest Bulletin No. 33 of 1916). 



The second class comprises the forests which, though they 

 may have to supply some of the requirements of the surrounding 

 population, can be managed mainly with the object of providing 

 the greatest possible outturn of timber for commercial purposes. 

 It is in connection with the control of these forests that the 

 Forest Department has been termed quasi-commercial. 



The third and fourth classes contain the areas which are 

 managed mainly if not entirely for the production of the forest 

 produce necessary for the satisfaction of the requirements of 

 the local population. In some parts of India, notably in por- 

 tions of the Central Provinces, Bombay and Madras, where the 

 work of the Department is intimately connected with the daily 

 life of the people, this phase of his work forms the most im- 

 portant of the forest officer's duties. Some notion of its extent 

 may be gathered from the fact that during the year 1913-14 

 the amount of forest produce removed by rightholders and free 

 grantees was 



Timber 7f million cubic feet. 



Fuel 59 million cubic feet. 



Bamboos nearly Bs. 88,000 in value. 



Grazing and fodder grass nearly Rs. 33,00,000 in value. 



This sketch of the policy pursued in the management of the 

 State forests is sufficient to show that the work of the Forest 

 Department should not be judged only from the revenue produc- 

 ing point of view. This side of its activities is unquestionably 



