( 35A ) 



of the opinion that while in certain localities the number of cattle 

 might render it necessary either to reduce, the proportion closed or 

 to lengthen the period of closure, there are parts of the tract in 

 which a larger fraction might immediately be closed so as to secure 

 more rapid improvement without inflicting any injury on the 

 inhabitants. 



15. An additional measure recommended by the Committee is 

 that, in order to check erosion now in progress and to prevent any 

 future extension of ravines in threatened localities, an area of width 

 varying, according to the character of the soil, the slope of the 

 ravines, and the catchment area concerned be excluded from culti- 

 vation and planted with trees. 



16. The Committee are of the opinion that the demand for 

 grazing all oattle now on the grouad can be met throughout the 

 initial period of management and that thereafter the area can 

 safely bear an enormously increased incidence. Apart from the 

 standing crop of grass available, there would be supplementary 

 provision of the greatest possible value in the shape of cut grass. 

 This would be available in large quantities at an early stage of the 

 management and would prove of special, use in the case of buffaloes 

 and plough oattle which are in most cases stall-fed. 



17. It is recognised that provision for grazing goats is absolutely 

 necessary, as these animals constitute no small a proportion of the 

 wealth of the tract. It is agreed that while the exclusion of goats 

 for six years from the areas first closed would be advisable in order 

 to secure the establishment of young tree-growth, it is essential to 

 provide against any uadue restriction of grazing. It might be 

 necessary to avoid this by lengthening the period of rotation, bat at 

 the same time special provision for goats might possibly be afforded 

 by sowing quick-growing fodder shrubs in those localities where 

 grazing for these animals is in greatest demand, 



18. The Committee had an opportunity of enquiring into local 

 opinion on the subject of management. A number of small 

 landholders from Patti Kamet and selected thakurs from other 

 parts of the tract were present before the Committee, and it cannot 

 be denied that the former, so far as they represented local opinion 

 were almost entirely hostile to any action whatsoever being taken 

 by Government as regards regulation of the use of the ravines. Of 

 the rest Thakur Basant Singh, manager of the important Bhareh 

 estate, alone expressed an opinion, and he agreed to any measures 

 of improvement that might be approved by the Government The 

 Committee consider that the opposition should not be ignored, 

 but that it should be rather regarded as a reason for working the 

 proposals in a considerate and conciliatory manner than H.H a 



