o34 
THE PROBABLE EFFECTS ON THE CLIMATE OF PI- 
NANG OF THE CONTINUED DESTRUCTION OF 
ITS HILL JUNGLES.* 
It was remarked that the whole of the eastern front of the range 
[of a mountain in Pinang] has within a few years been denuded of 
its forest. The greater part of it is too steep for any permanent 
cultivation, and in all probability after the fecundity of the fresh 
soil, enriched by the ashes of the trees, has been exhausted, it 
will be abandoned by the Chinese squatters. It was not here alone 
that I was surprised to see the rapid progress which squatters 
and Chinese charcoal burners have made in destroying the jungles 
on the hills during the last two veers. In Singapore the present 
zealous Governor has, in an enlightened spirit akin to that which 
has for some time distinguished the Government of India in 
reference to the same subject, absolutely prohibited the further 
destruction of forest on the summits of lulls. Representations 
have been often made to the local authorities at Pinang, urging the 
necessity of reserving the jungles on the summits and higher slopes, 
but hitherto without effect. The reply has generally been, if the 
forests are of so much importance as the agriculturists insist, they 
must have a certain value to them and they are at liberty to pur¬ 
chase any tract they choose. But it is impracticable for the hold¬ 
ers of land to unite in making such a purchase, and, were it at all 
practicable, the majority, from ignorance and selfishness, would re¬ 
fuse to contribute. But climate concerns the whole community, 
and its protection from injury is one of the duties of Government. 
In Germany and France there arc special laws and departments 
for the preservation and extension of forests. 
It is not necessary to cite Humboldt or Boussingalt to prove the 
great influence in tropical regions of forests, and especially of moun¬ 
tain forests, in attracting and condensing clouds, diminishing local 
temperature, and increasing humidity. But if the forests had no 
* Extracted from a Description of a mountain range in Tinang written in 
1810, and presented to the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 
