CEYLON. 27' 



10. Exports and Imports. 

 The following data represent the average of the last 10 years :— 



Exports .... 

 Imports .... 



Surplus, Imports over Exports 104,382 . . 53,994 



The exports comprise small quantities of ebony and satin wood, 

 while the imported timber is chiefly teak. 



11. Summary and Outlook. 



The utiUzation exceeds the increment by 218,957 cubic feet, while 

 the home consumption exceeds it by 323,339 cubic feet. This 

 represents a very unhealthy condition. There is not one year's 

 supply of conifers in the country ; even the supply of hardwoods 

 is running short. 



The Government of Ceylon has repeatedly expressed the desire 

 to take up real forest conservancy, but the results have been very 

 poor. The bulk of the forests have been destroyed chiefly by 

 shifting cultivation, fires and improvident exploitation. A 

 definite forest policy should be laid down without delay and 

 carried out. In doing this, the following points should receive 

 special attention : — 



(1) The establishment of an area of permanent State forests 



sufficient to meet future requirements. 



(2) Management of these State forests according to working 



plans drawn up on the basis of a sustained annual yield. 



(3) Development of the natural regeneratuni of the natural 



forests where this is still possible, supplemented by 

 sowing and planting wherever necessary. 



