1 ANNUAL REPORT
2 ON
3 THE PUNJAB FOREST ADMINISTRATION
4 For 1871-72.
5 INTRODUCTION.
6 1. Tuts report may fairly do with a very brief introductory portion. The
7 object of the introduction in the Government of India Orders of November 1868
8 was to give once for all—(1) a general sketch of the position and peculiarities of
9 the cluet forests, coupled with a consideration of the chief towns and markets
10 to which their produce is carried, and witha general sketch of the forest
11 economy of the Province; (2) the government of these furests, and the laws
12 relating to them.
13 2, The first portion of the introduction it was my original design to leave un-
14 Introduction already WYitten, as I anticipated the earlier return of Dr. Stewart ;
15 written. but, as I have held office longer than I thought, I have
16 written as completely as I could such a general sketch ; and, as this is published
17 at page 55 (forming Appendix A.) to the Government of India General
18 Forest Report for 1870-71, there is no object in reproducing it here. The
19 second part of the introduction was written in the Annual Report for
20 1869-70.
21 Changes im Forest Law. 3. I have only at present to notice the changes that
22 the Forest Law has undergone.
23 4, Just before the close of the official year Act IV. of 1872 (the ‘ Punjab
24 Tho* Punjab Laws’ Act’ ~#WS Act’) was passed, which has an important _besing
25 " on Forest Law, as by the second Schedule the “ Rules for
26 Conservancy of Forests in the Hill Districts of the Punjab, 1855,” have had all
27 doubts removed, and have now the full force of law, practically enabling us to do
28 almost everything that is necessary as regards hill forests,
29 and containing a wise, and, if carefully worked, a most
30 salutary, provision making villages responsible for fires occurring within their
31 bounds. Copies of the Rules have been printed and widely circulated.
32 5. The enactment has not, however, left the subject without difficulty. The
33 Difficulty uot quite re. Schedule, it is reasonable to suppose, legalizes the Rules and,
34 moved as part of them, the addition made by the Government of
35 India when originally sanctioning them, vz., that they were to be “ accompanied
36 ear ate by directions to each Commissioner to prepare forthwith a
37 set of rules adapted to the peculiar circumstances of his
38 division.” This being with reference to the general character of the Rules them-
39 solves, it is not easy to say what Rules were so prepared ; and, if prepared, whe-
40 ther thoy have the force of law like those of 1855. If the Kangra Rules, for
41 instance, of 1859 were so made, they may be law still; and, if so, a power of
42 repeal and amendment is very necessary.
43 Tho Rules of 1855
44 Table of rules governing 6. It iInhy be convenient to recapitulate the actual
45 the various forests. rules which are now governing the forests in the Punjab
46 as follows :—
47 GovERNMENT ForEsTs.
48 (1). Hazdra Forests.—Rules of 1870-71 under special law (amend-
49 ment proposed and still pending).