An area of 130 acres (known &s the Allenbagh), situated near 

 Nawabganj, Cawnpore, was also acquired in the same year at a cost 

 of Us. 2,670 as an experimental ground for afforestation. This 

 scheme was generously assisted by Mr. H. D. Allen, who constructed 

 a dam across the main ravine at a cost of Rs. 9,000. An account of 

 these silvicultural experiments will be given later on. 



In September, 1914, the Local Government ordered a regular 

 survey of the country, especially in the Jhansi and Agra districts, 

 for (1) ravine reclamation and (2) for the establishment of fuel and 

 fodder reserves in favourable localities. For this purpose Mr. 

 Fremantle, late Principal of the Agricultural College, Cawnpore, 

 was instructed to make the survey in close co-operation -with Mr. 

 Courthope, the Afforestation officer. Those orders were included 

 in resolution no. 971, dated 21st December, 1914, which also out- 

 lined the general policy of the Afforestation division (appendices 

 VJ and VII). 



It was hoped that successful Government plantations, estab- 

 lished in a variety of places in the ravines, would induce many 

 landowners to follow the same example, and it was stated that 

 the duties of the Afforestation officer should be- mainly advisory 

 and that direct action by Government was not desirable. A survey 

 was accordingly made of the ravine lands in Bundelkhand, Agra, 

 and Muttra districts and a report submitted. The main features 

 of this report were 



(1) It was indicated that for the reclamation of ravine tracts, 



a certain amount of tree-growth was essential. 



(2) That the reclamation of ravines by afforestation (fuel and 



fodder reserves) was likely to prove remunerative in the 

 more accessible areas, but by growing timber in the more 

 distant areas, they also could be made to pay their way. 



(3) The reclamation of ravines in remote areas should be con- 



sidered only as protective works. 



(4) Both officers were strongly of the opinion that at the pre- 



sent juncture landowners could not be relied upon to 

 do anything at their own initiative or at their own 

 expense towards reclaiming and afforesting their lands. 



(5) It was suggested that the only method by which reclama- 



tion could be satisfactorily dealt with was for Govern- 

 ment to lease or acquire the land. 



(6) It was doubted whether the terms (which will be dealt 



with later) of management proposed for the Etawah 

 ravines would appeal to landowners generally. It was 

 also doubted whether this work, requiring great super- 

 vision and technical knowledge, could be done by private 



Resolution no. 

 971 of 21st De- 

 cember, 1914 



Messrs. Court- 

 hope and Fre- 

 mantle's report 

 on the ravines 

 of Agra, Muttra 

 and Bundel- 

 khand. 



