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The object of these experiments is obvious. If over a limited area in each block of teak plantations a small amount of revenue can be obtained yearly by sale of fruits and other produce, the Department will be entirely relieved from the expenditure involved in watching, protecting and thinning the older plantations."

Seaton was so well satisfied with the development of the young plantations in this locality that he applied for permission to take up considerable extensions of land for the purpose of increasing the plantation area. These proposals were under consideration and had the warm support of the Government of India.

In 1863 the Government of India had suggestsd that it might be advisable to introduce Forest Conservancy into the Aracan Forests, in the event of there being a steady demand for "pyinkado" (ironwood) timber. (ironwood) timber. The suggestion had not been taken up. A question had arisen anent the working of the amended rules of 1865, and the Chief Commissioner (General Fytche) was led to think that a detailed examination of the Aracan forests would show what modifications of the rules were necessary and whether it would be advisable to place the administration of the forests under the Forest Department, and so relieve the Civil Officers of the duty. Dr. Schlich was nominated by the Conservator to undertake this piece of work, and the excellent Report, dated September, 1869, he drew up upon these forests was the outcome of his visit, and remained in effect the only one (written by a Forest Officer) on the subject of these forests for the next thirty years.

The Report established the following facts:

(1) The quantity of pyinkado timber of all sizes in the forests was very great.

(2) The rate of consumption of this timber at the time was very low when compared with the yield it was estimated the forests could produce.

(3) The character of the timber generally was held to be against the probability of any large trade being done in it. Beyond local requirements there was no demand for it, and what export trade existed had entirely died out.

In the face of this opinion the Chief Commissioner considered that any system of conservancy involving a large outlay was greatly to be deprecated. He was also of opinion that it would be unnecessary at that juncture to place these forests under the

control of the Forest Department. They would therefore remain under the supervision of the Civil Authorities. The Chief Commissioner's views on the subject were in accordance with those which had been expressed by the Commissioner of Aracan.

The Chief Commissioner's Report continued as follows:

"But the Chief Commissioner would desire to improve the present system of working these forests, and he believes this can be done without increasing the fees at present levied on the cutting of trees. Dr. Schlich reports that the main causes of injury lie in the toungya cultivation, and the wasteful manner in which the woodcutters fell and burn the trees. Both of these causes of injury can be materially diminished, if not entirely got rid of, and General Fytche will accordingly record his view on the subject of the preservation of the forests from wilful injury.

The most valuable and extensive forests lie principally in the district of Sandoway, and it is in these forests that, as a tentative measure, conservancy should be attempted. The main objects are :

Ist. The restriction of toungya cultivation to tracts which should be approved by the Deputy Commissioner of the district.

2nd. The appointment of an Inspector or Ranger of Forests to be placed under the control of the Deputy Commissioner. This subordinate's duties would be confined to supervision of the forests, especially during the felling season, and to granting, under the orders of the Deputy Commissioner, licenses for cutting trees. He would report all cases of illegal cutting to the Deputy Commissioner, who could settle them according to law.

3rd. The fees received on account of cutting trees would be collected by the subordinate Revenue collectors, who would be paid a commission of 10 per cent on the collections.

4th. A revision of the amended rules of 1865 to meet the arrangements now ordered.

It will be remarked that the employment of a Forest Ranger is only considered necessary at present for the Sandoway District. After some experience has been gained of the use of this subordinate, a similar appointment might be ordered for the Deputy Commissionership of Ramree. It is doubtful whether the Akyab District will ever require one.

To carry out the above arrangements, the Government of India will be asked to make over a portion of the yearly revenues accruing from these forests for the purpose of defraying the cost of the Ranger and the small staff needful to accompany him into the jungles.

General Fytche directs that a copy of these remarks be communicated to the Commissioner of Arakan for report on the following points :

Ist. Restriction of toungya cultivation.

2nd. The amount of pay and allowances he would propose for the Inspector or Ranger.

3rd. The modification he would suggest in the amended rules of 1865."

And, so far as the Forest Department was concerned, here the matter remained for the next thirty years and more.

This review of the forests of British Burma for the period may be concluded with the following financial statement in pounds sterling for the two years 1868-9 and 1869–70.

"The financial results of the two years are very satisfactory :

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The cash sum realised as surplus over the Budget Estimate

in the latter year was £21,026.

£

The total amount of net revenue for the

two years is

96,004

To which must be added the value of stock
in hand and of outstanding claims .

46,909

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It is of interest to note that Schlich had already been promoted Deputy Conservator in 1869, the Forest Officer list, excluding the Conservator, Seaton, reading on 1st August, 1870, as follows:

"Deputy Conservators, Graham, Schlich and Slym ; Assistant Conservators, Elsmer, Buchanan and Macpherson. Stenhouse was transferred in 1869 to officiate as Conservator of Forests in Bengal in place of Leeds on furlough."

CHAPTER VI

THE PROGRESS OF FOREST CONSERVANCY IN THE CENTRAL

T

PROVINCES, 1865-1870

HE commencement of the organisation of a Forest Department in the Central Provinces and the work upon which the staff was engaged have been already detailed in Volume I, Chapter XXI. Captain Pearson and his Assistants had commenced the exploration and examination of the extensive forest tracts, whilst at the same time devoting some of their time to collecting for sale such of the logs lying in the forests, the aftermath of the reckless fellings made after the Mutiny, as were likely to prove saleable. As Pearson said, the sale of some of these logs formed the revenue of their first modest forest Budget. The years devoted to this work of exploration were arduous years, and Pearson was fortunate in having secured the services, as one of his Assistants, of Lieutenant (later Captain) James Forsyth of the Bengal Staff Corps, one of the most brilliant and versatile young officers of that day. Possessed of high powers of observation, a cultivated mind, and literary gifts unusual for a junior military officer of the period, Captain Forsyth carried out without sparing himself work of the greatest value to the Department during the next five years, at the end of which period he was transferred as Settlement Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Nimar, the transfer giving proof of the high opinion which had been formed of his capabilities. But his health was shattered by the arduous years spent in forest exploration work, and three years later he went home on furlough only to die at the early age of thirty-three. His loss must have proved a severe one to the Province. He left behind a lasting memorial in his book, The Highlands of Central India, which, in addition to being a sporting classic, is an invaluable record of the early days of forest work and life in the Central Provinces. Captain Forsyth

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