INTRODUCTION. 



TT is sought in these notes to explain, in a practical manner, 

 the form in w^hich working-plans, such as are at present 

 required for the State forests of India, should be compiled, 

 so that it may he possible to apply and to control them. The 

 discussion of calculations and theories which are inapplicable 

 in the actual condition of Indian Forestry has, as far as 

 possible, been avoided. 



The only means by which Local Governments have 

 hitherto, as a rule, attempted to secure a supply of forest- 

 produce for the use of the agricultural population, has been 

 by burdening forest lands with rights under settlements. 

 Hence we find, in Northern India especially, many cases in 

 which Government has voluntarily rendered itself helpless 

 to prevent the destruction of the forest property it desires to 

 preserve. Such mistakes will cease to be made when it is 

 realised that the purpose with which each forest should be 

 managed can be prescribed by means of working-plans. 



But, in order that the vast areas under the control of the 

 Forest Department in India may be brought under the pro- 

 visions of working-plans within a measurable distance of 

 time, it is necessary that the agency of subordinate ofiScers 

 should be more largely utilised than has hitherto been the 

 custom in the collection of the data on which these plans are 

 based ; and that this may be feasible, some such instructions 

 as the present are obviously required. • 



