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 office, in 1823. Ineffective, 
sporadic efforts at administration by the provincial 
governments then followed. 
