1 ( 18 )
2 for the purpose of building (near Batrf) was punished by the Chamba State,
3 and is a good example as showing thut because a forest 1s ‘unreserved’ it is not
4 therefore to be destroyed.
5 123. Lower Rdvi.—No particular cases are reported, but the general com-
6 plaint that timber theft cases are treated with a ‘leniency
7 that makes it pay to use the wood and take the trifling
8 fine that is imposed. The constant offences of wood stealing, &c., which are
9 chronic on the river, are greatly fostered by the disorderly system of marking
10 timber, and selling it at all sorts of places adopted by the Kashmir authorities.
11 This has been specially referred.
12 Offences on river.
13 124. Lower Chendb Division—Eight cases of timber theft, resulting in
14 Tilustration of remark SJ Convictions, are reported. In one case a quantity of
15 that senior European Magis- Government tnnber was stolen and sold toa villager of
16 ales Seen properly Gujrat District ; as this was tried by the Deputy Com-
17 missioner, justice was obtained, and 2 years’ imprisonment
18 and Rs. 100 fine on each offender awarded. One ofthe persons inplicated,
19 and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment and Rs. 50 fine (a patwdri), was
20 acquitted in the appeal court.
21 125. Two of the subordinate establishment had to be dismissed,—one for
22 neglect of work and repeated disobedience, the other for
23 an attempt to enter a greater number of logs as caught and
24 rafted than really were, thereby hoping of course to pocket the rate for the
25 excess number.
26 Forest officors dismissed
27 126. Bids Division.—Four forest fires occurred. The first, a trifling fire
28 Offences in Biss vi. in Lohara, burning brushwaod only, was convicted by
29 sion. Tahsildér of Amb, and fined Rs. 7. A second trifling fire
30 occurred in a similar locality, but could not be proved. A third, caused by
31 smoking for honey, resulted in a small loss of brushwood, and was fined Rs. 26;
32 but the fire might have been very serious. The fourth was a larger fire in
33 Rewani Forest on the Parbatti (tributary of Bids) in December, caused by a
34 native ‘shikari.’ Mr. Duff had not, at time of submitting his report, reached
35 the place to inspect it, but considerable damage to young trees was reported,
36 and the fire lasted two days. The offence being tried by a European officer of
37 experience, who understood the real import of this sort of offence, the result, ag
38 usual, was satisfactory : the offender was fined and imprisoned for 12 months,
39 ar eee This division seems, on the whole, to be an exception to
40 tion to the reported ifs. the general rule; 40 cases of theft were brought up and
41 culties as regards forest 35 convicted,—fines aggregating Rs. 358 imposed. One theft
42 vere of some timber stranded in the Kanuwan Jhil was tried
43 by the Deputy Commissioner of Gurdasptir, and adequately punished in
44 conformity with what I have already noted.
45 127. Itis here desirable to call attention of local Forest Officers to these
46 Attention of Forest om. facts, and to remind them that, while no doubt in prove-
47 cers called to tho subject 3; ment is wanted as regards some of the complaints mace,
48 St Neer they must be careful that they do not cause or contribute
49 to the evil, and that prompt and careful supervision over subordinates, as well as
50 a good system of report and enquiry, will go very far to obviate delay in hearing
51 cases and unsatisfactory results, S
52 128. Satley Division.—The Bashir Forests have been, under the new
53 organization, divided into six circles, witha Head Wateher
54 RY ceri Forests free from = over each, whose duty has been defined, and a system of
55 regular report organized. Forest offences have been alinost
56 nil during the year.
57 129. Fuel Reserve Division.—In the central and southern divisions,
58 aera Naas under Mr. Sparling, no special allusion is made to offences,
59 Most of these tracts have been so long at any rate known
60 as Government reserves, that few people think of trespassing on them.