1 ( 8 )
2 local features of roads, pounds, mounds, extensive depressions, areas liable to flood,
3 &c., &c. ; whereas all existing maps are nothing more than mere boundary regis-
4 ters, showing large green patches as the “rakh,” and nothing more.
5 49, It is also equally necessary that a register volume,—to contain a general
6 map of the district, showing position of rakhs, special
7 maps of ‘each rakh or groups of rakhs, and a list of the
8 names, with area, particulars of history, details of rights, grants of land made, &c.,
9 &c.,—should be prepared. This is a work of time; but one dis-
10 trict, Gujrdnwdla, has been so worked up, and the maps and
11 papers were in a great measure completed, and will be submitted before the
12 next year ;so that there will be one volume ready to serve asa pattern for
13 others.
14 Registers.
15 One district completed.
16 50. Connected with the subject of area definition in the ‘ rakhs,” one
17 Demarcation of cultiva. Very important question was the settlement of all plots of
18 tion side rakhs. cultivation which existed inside the demarcated area of the
19 rakhs. Fortunately, it is only exceptionally the case that actual proprietary
20 plots exist within the boundary, and when they do, as in Lahore, they are
21 always defined and compact tracts not interfering with conservancy. In all
22 districts also, except in Lahore, Gujrat, Jhelam and Muzaffargarh, the practice
23 of allowing plots to be cultivated for a year is so inconsiderable that it has been
24 Orders of the Financial Stopped without the least difficulty ; so that the recent
25 Commissioner about culti- orders of the Financial Commissioner, approved by Govern-
26 vation. ment, that in tracts reserved as forest no cultivation is to
27 be allowed, except such as the Forest Department allowed with a view to soil
28 preparation or in exchange for work, or otherwise directly connected with the
29 planting work, have been easily and fully carried out.
30 51. In Jhelam, however, the rakhs are full of cultivated plots, which will
31 Difficulties in some dis. Yequire very careful handling ; and also the same is true in
32 tricte —Jhelam. the great Pabbi Rakhs of the Gujraét District, already
33 alluded to. I have not attempted to interfere with these plots as yet.
34 52. In Lahore some of the rakhs were so covered with cultivation, though
35 always on so-called ‘annual leases,—and there are so many
36 demands for land for long lease, &c.,—that I thought it bet-
37 Cultivators on leases ter to strike off the forest roll a number of rakhs least
38 Lahore,
39 nominally annual. valuable for forest purposes, and most covered with cul-
40 Rakhs restored to dis. tivation; and they are now ‘State Domains’ in the hands of
41 trict. the district authorities.
42 53. I then proceeded to issue notices of ejectment, as directed by the
43 financial Commissioner, to all cultivators having no legal right on the expiry
44 of their annual lease in the remainder of the rakh.
45 54, But I found that, though cultivators had yearly vernacular leases,
46 which, as far as such papers ever are distinct, said distinctly
47 that they last for only one year, the people had had these
48 renewed almost, asa matter of form, from year to year, till large areas of land
49 had been cultivated tor many years, wells sunk, and villages, temples, and
50 mosques erected, ‘hat these people could be turned out legally (with or without
51 aiesaleanie sasntat compensation under the Tenancy Act) thero is not the
52 slightest doubt ; but I have thought it quite impossible to
53 do so, and [ have, therefore, directed that the plots should be made compact with
54 perfectly rectilinear boundaries wherever possible, the area surveyed, and pillars
55 put up between the forest and the land so treated.
56 55. When this is done, I shall propose to strike the cultivated area off the
57 forest area total, and Icave it to the district rent-roll. The work has to be
58 done in about 13 rakhs—not more, and isin good progress: it appears clearly
59 the only way of carrying out the orders for no cultivation.
60 56. In the Muzaffargarh rakhs (which are the worst in condition of all
61 Cnitivation intersecting forest tracts in the Punjab) every rakh, even the best, is
62 rakhs in Muzaffargarh. intersected with cultivated plots which appear to have been
63 granted at hap-hazard in former years. Attempts to aggregate the cultivation
64 Permanent cultivation,