20 
Indian Forest Records . 
[Vol. VII 
(3) Fodder trees. 
A few cuttings are being put in per acre of trees which are valuable 
for fodder, such as Ficus religiosa (Pipal) and Ficus injectoria. With 
two or three trees per acre available for lopping in famine years, the 
severity of fodder famines would be greatly alleviated. 
The above list will suffice to show what is being attempted this 
year. Year by year the possibilities of these ravine tracts will be tested 
by the introduction of other species of economic importance, and this 
will constitute one of the principal branches of research by Afforestation 
officers in connection with these ravine tracts. 
30. Regarding the financial returns which may be expected from 
the afforestation of these ravine tracts, it is at present impossible to 
make any definite estimates. With only three years growth to guide 
us, we cannot forecast how long it would take for the trees to be ripe 
for the axe, and moreover we know already that the rates of growth 
will vary enormously between the fertile ravine bottoms and the dry 
high plateaux. 
Again, if we succeed in obtaining early and frequent returns (e.g., 
by the introduction of such species as Cassia auriculata , Bamboos, and 
Baib grass (Ischcemum angustifolium), the financial aspect is enormously 
improved ; and finally, the financial return from every plantation is 
bound to be largely dependent on its accessibility and proximity to the 
market. For well situated plantations, near railways or large towns, 
there is undoubtedly a splendid financial future, but there are Some 
plantations—30 miles from a railway by inferior roads, with two, or 
three large unbridged and often unfordable rivers to cross in between 
which can never be expected to do more than pay their way, the 
difficulties and cost of export of material absorbing all potential profit. 
This is all that can be said at the present time on the financial future 
of these plantations. Five or ten years hence it will be possible to write 
a second edition of this note, giving much fuller information. But in 
afforestation of ravine lands, the financial aspect is emphatically not 
the only criterion, whereby to judge the success or failure of the ven¬ 
ture. The prevention of further erosion, and the creation of fuel and 
fodder reserves for the local villages is of equal or greater importance 
and from this point of view, every plantation will prove successful. 
The cost of creation per acre is given in an appendix. 
31. In a report on the extension of afforestation work recently sub¬ 
mitted to Government, the lines of policy for the management of these 
plantations were described. These may be briefly outlined here, as 
they will probably prove the basis of management for many years to 
come, if sanctioned by Government. 
[ 236 ] 
