FIREWOOD OF NILGIRI HILLS. 159 



5. At Wellington, the consumption of fuel supplied by con- 

 tract, from Government forests of course, is about 5000 lbs. 

 daily ; and this is exclusive of what the engineer department 

 requires. 



6. At Kunur and Kotagiri the demand is smaller. 



7. In addition, much timber is required for building and other: 

 similar purposes : the whole of this necessarily comes from 

 Government forests. 



8. With so great a demand, conservancy is extremely difficult. 

 The establishment at our disposal comprises only a single forester 

 and six peons, and is obviously insufficient. * 



9. I would now propose that, in communication with the col- 

 lector, I should at once mark all such forests as should be wholly 

 reserved for Government or public purposes. These would be 

 marked in the station maps, and public notification be given of 

 their reservation. When it became necessary to fell trees for 

 thinning or other reasons, this should be done by this department, 

 and under my orders. 



10. During my visits to the hills, I would inspect these re- 

 served tracts, and give the necessary instructions. The sales of 

 wood would be by public auction, and the proceeds would be 

 credited to Government. I propose this measure, because expe-' 

 rience has shown the impossibility of preserving a forest, if wood- 

 cutters and cattle are allowed to enter it. 



11. This being done, the question arises, How the other woods 

 are to be dealt with ? Many of the residents keep woodcutters 

 on monthly pay. These men go and cut timber wherever they 

 can ; and if they would be satisfied with old and decayed trees, 

 I should not complain, but, unfortunately, they generally select 

 small trees, as being more easily felled, and, I am told, not un- 

 frequently ring and fire good timber to ensure a future supply 

 for their own use. The wants of other residents are supplied by 

 private traders, who in like manner appropriate Government 

 timber. 



12. Two methods of action have suggested themselves to me : — 



* Present Establishment. — Forester, Es. 35 ; 6 peons at Es. 5 = Bs. 3.0 ; 

 Total, Es. 65. 



