1 ( 15 )
2 Pwo Woreat ‘Divisions 102. Two Forest Divisions were not provided for by
3 not yet provided for. the sanction,—
4 (1.) The Plantation Division ; '
5 (2.) The Fuel Reserve Division, which only had a small ‘nucleus’
6 provision made for it ;
7 the Ist because its operations changed, and hitherto it has been the prac-
8 tice to obtain annual sanction for the working establishment ; the 2nd, because
9 the transfer of rakhs was going on, and until recently it was impossible to deter-
10 mine what was required.
11 Proposals for fixed ostab- 103. These two divisions have since been taken up, and
12 hahments submitted. detailed proposals and statements sent up to Government.
13 104. Orders also have been issued for demanding security, equivalent to
14 Security from subordi- 6 months’ pay, from all officers below the controlling staff,
15 nates. 1. e., below Forest Ranger, Ist grade, down to those draw-
16 ing Rs. 15 a month.
17 105. Travelling allowance has also been adjusted on a footing which is the
18 Travellng allowance to Same as that adopted in other provinces, vz., that this
19 subordinates. allowance is not granted to officials below grade of Forest
20 Ranger, as these are supposed to reside in their beats, and to draw their salary
21 for moving about therein; travelling allowance is only granted—and also to
22 clerks—when they are bond fide taken on duty out of their ordinary beats.
23 Previously to this order, [ noticed travelling allowance charged for the
24 whole establishment—in some cases as if it were a matter of “‘ batta,” or perma-
25 nent extra allowance.
26 106. The subject of uniform for ‘Foresters’ and ‘Forest-watchers’ has been
27 Umform—Forest Officers; under consideration. It is evident that it is just as im-
28 Forest-watchers. portant for the ‘ Foresters’ and‘ Watchers’ on their beats to
29 have a distinctive official dress and badge, as for the civil police; for Forest
30 Watchers are a sort of forest police. I have visited many forests and found only
31 a dirty-looking individual prowling about, whose position and authority no one
32 could be expected to recognize. I have therefore adopted a neat uniform which
33 was devised by Major Batchelor, as it is perfectly inexpensive. Every man must
34 provide himself with a coat, trousers, and turban ; so that to require these to be
35 made of a strong, uniform, but cheap cloth, and dyed of a particular
36 color, is no hardship. The coat and trousers are ‘‘ khaki,” or ash grey,
37 with a dark bottle-green turban. Forest Watchers are provided with a circular
38 badge attached to the breast of the coat (as the police badge) ; it carries the
39 name of the Forest Division, and a small silver crown in a sunk circle in the
40 middle. Each Forest Watcher has pgovided him a leather belt and pouch carry-
41 ing o gmall axe and chisel. He must be instructed to use these so as to be able
42 to clear a place and put the “ broad-arrow” at once on all unmarked Govern-
43 ment or confiscated timber ; the axe is sufficiently strong for cutting creepers,
44 and any occasional work that a watcher may have todo. Swords, &c., have all
45 been abolished.
46 107. The Foresters wear a similar dress, of better quality, and are at
47 : liberty to add a fringe of gold or green to the turban.
48 ‘« Foresters r a
49 They wear on the arm chevrons of scarlet cloth, 3 to
50 indicate the first two grades ; 2, the 3rd and 4th ; 1, the 5th and 6th. The Satlej
51 and some other divisions have arranged these matters; other Divisions are in
52 progress. It will be necessary to provide ‘ posteens” or
53 Warm clothing required. varm coats for Watchers in hill divisions ; and, as these aro
54 beyond the power of the very small salary, I must refer the question separately.
55 108. Major Batchelor alone of all the Forest staff has magisterial powers,
56 Magisterial powers, roe &8 was absolutely necessary in a remote place like Basghir.
57 pression of crime The lease of the Chamba forests provides that the Pangi
58 and Upper Ravi officers should have too; and this will be referred when the
59 time comes.
60 — eee —_ ead
61 —
62 * Note. —This division, formerly called ‘‘ /el Plantation Division,” was, with the sanction of Government,
63 altered to “ Plantation Divimou,”—partly because tho name was unnecessarily long, and because also th :
64 by po moans contines its eflorts tu growth of mere fuel trees. Eee so the Divinon