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Section III. — Regulatioit of grazing. 



1. General remarks. — Forest grazing in areas which have 

 been permanently set aside for the production of wood should 

 not be confused with the pastoral method of treatment 

 already described. The two classes of forests are absolutely 

 distinct as regards the purpose for which they are managed. 

 It may be assumed that, as regards the former areas, it is 

 in the interests of the community at large, if not of the 

 population immediately surrounding the forests, that the 

 forest should produce timber, large or small. It may not 

 be necessary or expedient to exclude grazing altogether 

 from such areas ; but there should be no room for doubt as 

 to whether grazing or the production of wood is to give 

 way. 



Many of tbe troubles of the Forest Department are dae to a proper distinction 

 not being made betiveen lands which, in the interests of the conntry, should be 

 managed with a view to the prodnction of wood and those which shoald be devoted 

 to the production of fodder. Local Governments hesitate to place lands under 

 forest management, because experience has shown that land^ so placed are liable to 

 be turned into close preserves for the production of timber — the supply ot which is 

 often already too abundant for local consumption — and that thus the grazing require- 

 meats of the people are overlooked. The confusion between the two classes of areas 

 has not infrequently ended in an unhappy compromise under which neitlier one class 

 nor the other can be properly managed. For it is as unwise to unnecessarily restrict 

 grazing in fodder reserves as it is to admit unrestricted grazing into timber forests. 

 In preparing a working-plan the two classes would necessarily be separated ; bat, 

 unfortunately, many of the forests have already been burdened with permanent rights 

 of grazing which seriously interfere with their utility and which would never have 

 been imposed on them had a wiser and more enlightened policy been generally followed 

 with regard to the recognition of the natural grazing grounds. 



Grazing^ whatever may be the circumstances which render 

 it necessary to admit cattle into the forest, should be 

 regulated and organized in the working-plan that is prepared 

 for the area burdened. It is, therefore, desirable to consider 

 the restrictions that may have to be imposed and how they 

 should be regulated. In the first place an endeavour should 

 be made — so far as this is possible in view of admitted rights 

 and, in some cases, local customs as strong as rights — ^to 

 apply the following principles : — 



(1) A distinction should be made between the grazing of 

 sheep and goats, and of cattle, horses or donkeys which do 

 much less harm ; and goats and sheep should not be allowed 

 into any area placed under regular forest treatment. 



(2) Every herd or flock permitted to graze should be 

 placed in the charge of a shepherd, who would be responsible 

 for any infringement of the grazing regulations and for any 

 injury done by the animals in his charge. 



