16 THE WORK OF THE FOREST DEPARTMENT IN INDIA. 



under this system much produce is removed free of charge by 

 right-holders and free grantees. 



The decision as to which of these two methods should be 

 adopted in any particular case depends on a variety of circum- 

 stances. Generally it may be said that where means of extrac- 

 tion are easy and markets assured it pays best to rely on the 

 agency of purchasers, more especially where standing trees can 

 be sold annually. On the other hand it is not always wise to 

 rely on this agency where it is necessary to develop communica- 

 tions or instal mechanical appliances in order to facilitate 

 extraction on a large scale. The following extract from the 

 quinquennial review on forest administration for the period 

 1909-10 to 1913-14 expresses the views of the Government of 

 India on this important subject. 



' The question of the agency by which forest produce should be 

 extracted has given rise to considerable discussion in the past, and 

 although certain general principles may be laid down, the form of agency 

 most suitable to any particular province or area must necessarily depend 

 upon local conditions. 



" In forest administration the object in view is two-fold first, to 

 conserve and improve the forests, and this is the first concern of the 

 trained staff, and secondly to secure to the tax-payer the greatest immedi- 

 ate benefit from their commercial working. To obtain the best com- 

 mercial results departmental or private agency should be employed as 

 circumstances dictate, and provided always that Government receives a 

 fair share of the profits earned private agency should be freely employed. 

 But when this is done the term of the contract should on the one hand 

 be sufficiently long to enable the initial outlay to be recovered, while 

 on the other hand provision should invariably be made for a revision 

 of the rates of royalty at stated intervals so that Government may not 

 be deprived of its fair share of any rise in prices which may take place. 

 Should it be found impossible to employ private agency on these terms, . 

 departmental working should be adopted, and if this cannot be under- 

 taken by the trained staff without prejudice to its work of conservation 

 and improvement there seems to be no reason why a separate staff 

 specially trained in commercial exploitation should not be employed. 

 At times, indeed, departmental working is essential as, for instance, in 

 the extraction of little known timbers or other products for which it ia 

 desired to create a; market, when for any reason the system of extraction 

 by purchasers breaks down, or when it becomes necessary to prevent 

 trade manipulation or the creation of a monopoly. 



