332 India. 



of the native race into the jungle to eke out a pre- 

 carious life, owing to the remarkable recuperative 

 powers of a tropical nature the impression made was 

 not permanent. Although much forest growth was 

 then destroyed, cleared or mutilated, changes took 

 place only slowly. 



It has been claimed, that in consequence of the 

 destruction, which was incident to the nomadic life 

 of the Mohamedans and the shifting agriculture of the 

 aborigines, climatic changes were produced, but the 

 proof for this assertion has remained questionable. 



When in the 18th century the British entered India 

 in rivalry with the French and other European nations, 

 it was, of course, only for purposes of exploitation, and 

 for a long time after the British had attained the 

 ascendancy and had subjected most of the territory 

 now ruled by them, not much concern was had about 

 the forests; they furnished but small values, excepting 

 in one particular, namely supplies of Teak for naval 

 purposes. In the beginning of the 19th century the 

 Government became concerned regarding these sup- 

 plies, which under the rough exploitation threatened 

 to become exhausted. 



The first step towards securing some conservative 

 management dates back to 1806, when Captain Watson 

 was sent to India as Conservator of Forests, to look 

 after the interests of the East India Company in this 

 direction. His inability to compromise with those 

 who had secured timber privileges led to his removal 

 and an abandonment of the oflSice, in 1823. Ineffective, 

 sporadic efforts at administration by the provincial 

 governments then followed. 



