THE BESIN INDUSTRY IN KUMAUN. 43 



despite any temporary set back, it is essential for the Forest 

 Department to continue the exploitation of the chir pine forests 

 on conservative lines, both for the sake of future profits and of 

 the local Indian industries depending on these products. 



In 1912 the Local Government defined its policy with regard 

 to the afforestation of denuded areas and the establishment of wn 

 fuel and fodder reserves. In the lasfr quinquennium the reclama- 

 tion of ravine lands in the Etawah district was reported on and 

 as a result the Etawah division was formed. 



In 1914-15 a further inspection of ravine lands in Bundel- 

 khand and in the Agra and Muttra districts was made and a 

 report submitted. In 1914 the lease of the Fisher Forest near 

 Etawah was transferred to Government by the N.-W. Tannery 

 Co. In 1915 the Ordnance Department made over the Kalpi 

 plantations to the Forejt Department free of charge. 



In 1914-15 about 100 acres of waste land adjoining Cawnpore 

 were taken up and treated experimentally. In 1917 an addition 

 of 125 acres of inferior village land was bought by the late 

 Mr. George Allen and presented to the department for extending 

 the plantations. 



In the past 9 years an area of over 9,000 acres of ravine land 

 has been converted into plantations. The policy adopted at 

 present is to stimulate the interest of landowners so that they 

 may be induced to make over land for treatment under present 

 arrangements. The costs of afforestation is borne by Government 

 and is to be recouped from revenue received, the profits there- 

 after being paid to the owners. 



The results to date have been most promising. Bandhing, 

 ditching and surface working of the soil are carried out in 

 advance, and weeding and surface tilling after the sowings. As a 

 result erosion is arrested, good crops of grass are obtained and 

 tree growth is established. Sissoo and babul (Acacia arabica) 

 have done particularly well, and in parts crops have attained an 



