INDIAN FOREST MANAGEMENT. 263 



It is of special interest to note that the expense of fire protection amounted, under these most 

 extraordinary circumstances, only to $130,000, or 1.6 per cent of the gross income, and that for 

 cultural work, the horror of the American anti-forest proclaimer, only $150,000, or 1.8 per cent of 

 the gross income, was paid. 



The forest laws of India were like those of most countries, a matter of growth and adaptation, 

 with the important difference, however, that the well-defined object of preserving to this great 

 and peculiar people a continuous supply of the all-essential timber was steadily kept in mind. 

 The principal acts are those of 1865, 1869, and especially the "Indian forest act' 7 of 1878, with 

 secondary legislation applying to particular localities, such as the act of 1881 for Burma^and 1882 

 for Madras and others. 



In general these forest laws provide for the establishment of permanent or "reserved" State 

 foi ests, to be managed according to modern forestry principles. They provide for a suitable force of 

 men;' give the forest officers certain police powers; prohibit unwarranted removal of forest 

 products, the setting of fires, or otherwise injuring the forest property. The laws also regulate 

 grazing and the chase by permit systems, and prescribe rules by which the work of the depart- 

 ment is carried on, as well as the manner in which officers are engaged, promoted, etc. Since the 

 peculiar circumstances required men specially fitted and trained, schools were established to 

 furnish the recruits for this steadily growing service. The one at Coopers Hill, England, where a 

 thorough course is intended to prepare men for the superior staff positions, and the Imperial 

 school at Dehra Dun, which is to supply the great number of the executive staff, the young men 

 starting in usually as guards or rangers at a pay of about $25 per month, working their way up 

 to places worth $70 per month, and if well suited, eligible for further promotion. In the Dehra 

 Dun school and the executive staff the native element is fast making itself felt, and there is little 

 doubt that the men of India will soon be able to manage the forests of their own native land. 



