1 ( 9 )
2 seem at present impossible, but will eventually become so, as large portions of
3 the cultivation are on leases of 10 to 15 years unexpired, which will eventually
4 cease.
5 57. Kachhi Forest, (Midnwaéli Pergunnah, on the Indus bank, pure
6 Transfer of forests called‘ >Hisham” forest).—'This forest was entirely surveyed, de-
7 Kachhi long ordered, but marcated and registered, and maps and proposals sent in
8 scl le (they do great credit to Mr. Ellis, Assistant Conservator,
9 who prepared them) for the transfer of these forests, and for payment of com-
10 pensation to buy out rights that interfered with the compactness of the reserves.
11 58. These proposals were positively approved, and clear orders for the trans-
12 fer issued in June 1871; yet up to date nothing has been done, nor have I
13 been able to elicit any information as to why the tracts are not made over and
14 the compensation settled.
15 59. This is the more to be regretted, as of course people are not very
16 happy to take compensation ; and, if not settled while they are agreeable, they
17 return to a state of dislike, and try to get more, and so forth, if delay takes
18 place in paying.
19 60. Kalesar Forest.—This little sal forest on the Jamna is demarcated by
20 a broad side-cut, clear for 40 feet, dividing the Government
21 forest from that granted to one Dhalip Singh, of Kalesar
22 village. This person occasionally renews complaints,—which, however, have little
23 Complaints of Dhalip Or no foundation,—which were expressions of his dissatisfac-
24 Singh, of Kalesar village. tion that the whole forest was not granted him. A trifling
25 point regarding the position of a small piece of land occupied by the forest house
26 and depét, and which has not been measured and paid for, remainsto be settled,
27 and will, 1 hope, together with some minor points, be determined this winter, so
28 as to take away the last vestige of a pretence for complaint.
29 61. Leased Forests, Chamba.—These are well known to be situated (a) in
30 the valley of the Chendb, Province of Pdngi, and (6) in
31 the valley of Ravi and tributaries, (c) Kialdtop, Kaintli,
32 Baklo, and Banni-khet, in the hills nearer Dalhousie, and so, for convenience,
33 separately indicated and placed in the ‘“ Lower Ravi Division.”
34 62. The state of the forests was such as to cause great anxicty, and the
35 Ne-draft of lonscandrules first step taken was to re-draft the lease and rules, which
36 made. have now been finally sanctioned and executed ; so that the
37 old lease of 1864 is a thing of the past. The chief feature of the new lease and
38 rules_is to make provision for excluding from certain tracts all grazing, and
39 especially the vast flocks of sheep belonging to non-resident shepherds who
40 come up to graze and pass through the land. The destruction caused by these
41 flocks can only be likened to that caused on minor vegetation by a flight of
42 locusts: what they do not eat they nibble off and tear down. Accordingly
43 during the last year the process of visitation in demarcation of the best tracts
44 of Deodar, P. Excelsa, and the most workable of those of A. Smithiana has
45 been going on.
46 63. The process requires in all cases for its completion—1st, a careful review
47 of the forests, and, 2nd, the approval of the Chamba State
48 authorities. In all cases when a boundary is disputed a
49 block of cultivated land is included in the forest.
50 64. Colonel Reid, then Superintendent of Chamba State, was at first
51 Mistaken action of 2#!Xious that the tracts should be actually surveyed ; and this
52 Superintendent, Chamba work was commenced, more especially os Colonel Reid
53 Bree declined to send any authorized person to sce the demarca-
54 tions. I, however, determined to stop the survey, as it did not appear to me
55 Survey bogun and after: to bea very satisfactory proceduro as an initiative; and
56 wards stopped ; [ ain glad to say the present Superintendent has allowed
57 authorized persons to go with the officers. This is as it should be; for clearly
58 And difficulties romovead 9 enable the officers on both sides to agree on the subject
59 hy the present Superinten- 16 18 not necessary that they should have a knowledge of
60 eae the exact area of the forest to be reserved. In order to see
61 where the pillars should be placed, a careful local inspection is all that is neces-
62 Sal Forest.
63 Chamba Forests.
64 Process of demarcation.