290 FORESTRY IN THE CROWN COLONIES. 



(a) To proclaim any area a " forest area " and to make rules 

 for the protection of trees and other forest produce in 

 such area. 

 (6) Provision for proclaiming " demarcated forests " and the 

 constitution of a board of 5 Forest Commissioners ; no 

 land within such areas to be alienated or rights granted 

 except with the approval of the Governor-in-Council and 

 the approval of not less than 2 Forest Commissioners, 

 (c) Provision of penalties for the breach of any rules published 

 under the Ordinance. 

 Amendments of the Ordinance were made in 1915 — 1916 for 

 special matters. General " Rules made under the Ordinance " 

 were pubHshed in 1912. 



Administration. — The forests are under the control of a Con- 

 servator of Forests who is assisted by 9 Assistant Conservators, 

 1 Forest Surveyor, 16 Foresters, 7 Assistant Foresters and 130 

 Forest Guards. The superior stafi is recruited through the 

 Colonial Office, and the subordinate staff (Asiatics and Africans) 

 is locally instructed in its duties. 



The objects chiefly aimed at by the Department are : — 



(a) The conservation of the natural forests. 



(6) Their protection against fire and against man. 



(c) The exploitation of timber, firewood and other produce. 



{d) The regeneration of the forests and the introduction of 



valuable exotic species. 

 The Cedar forests are very liable to damage by fire and their 

 protection is very difficult ; fire traces are cleared and the areas 

 are patrolled during seasons of drought, especially along railway 

 lines. 



Some plantations have been established along the railways for 

 the supply of fuel. Planting has also been done in connection 

 with shifting cultivation. In forests worked for timber under 

 the selection system, the planting of groups has been introduced ; 

 efforts at natural regeneration have so far been very disappointing, 

 though cedar is said to regenerate readily if the mineral soil is 

 exposed. 



Large nurseries of fast growing exotics have been established, 

 and the plants are sold by Government at cost price to settlers 

 and planters. Advice is also given by Government Officers. 



