PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION. O 



The forest lands of the Wardha and Pranhita valleys are too well 



known to require a special description. The principal preserves are on 



the eastern and southern portion of the Chanda district, beyond the 



area of the coal, embracing the Panabaras and 

 Fores ts 



Ahiri forests. The majority of the trees in the 



Bhandak, Moharli, Jogapur and Dabha forests are small, and a system of 



conservation must be carried out for some time before they acquire 



proper proportions. 



There are extensive tracts of bamboo jungle along the Andari and 

 Irai valleys, and at the foot of the hills west of 

 "Wirrir and Antargaon in the Nizam's dominions. 



In the Wun district there are no bamboo jungles within the limits of 



the coal field 



There is everywhere an extraordinary luxuriance of coarse grass, and 

 it is impossible throughout many miles of country 



Gi*fl.ss 



for a geologist to work properly until the spring 

 fires assist him by burning it down. The most excessive growth occurs 

 on the trappean plateaus, and in many instances the grass stands high 

 above one's head. 



The soil on both sides of the "Wardha near the river is a rich black 



loam, capable of supporting very heavy crops of 



" jawari" and cotton. Elsewhere, it is more sandy 



and especially so over the large area coverd by the rocks of the Kamthi 



group in the Chanda district. 



/ 



The main drainage is effected by the Wardha, which when in flood has 

 an average breadth of quite 200 yards, and is 

 many feet in depth ; but throughout the cold and 

 hot seasons, the water diminishes to such an extent that only a light- 

 draught canoe can float over the shallows and rapids that constitute a 



large proportion of the river's way. In a few places there are deep pools 



( 5 ) 



