1 ( 19 )
2 130. The grass contractors protect themselves also against cattle-trespass
3 Grass contractors protect by making them pay up. We have no difficulty whatever,
4 themselves. as a rule, in absvlutely closing tracts for reproduction.
5 And this shows how soon people settle down to be accustomed to forest con-
6 No trouble in enforcing Servancy if confined to definite tracts, and if complaints
7 strict conservancy, as here made at the outset, when the shoe first pinches a little, are
8 pouple are accuslumel eit. not fostered by injudicious support and by the relics of
9 that irrational opposition to Forest Officers which I am thankful to say is fast
10 dying out in the Punjab, and of which only a few rare instances occurred during
11 the year.
12 131. In Guwrdnwdla “bar,” however, where the people are more lawless,
13 Paes deena nie considerable cattle and other trespass occurred, in which
14 ' the people defied the officer in charge, as “ he was nota
15 Magistrate.”
16 132. Inthe Northern Division (Gujrét, Jhelam, &c.), under Mr. Wild,
17 that ollicer’s careful and complete report gives a detail of offences,—14 cases of
18 stealing wood, trespass, and petty mischief, &«., were tried, and certainly on
19 the whole fairly dealt with. Seven cases, however, are stil] pending.
20 133. A register of cattle seizures under the Act in Gujrat (for Jhelam
21 Registor of cattle sei: and Shahpdur, the latter were not fully transferred, and
22 zures. the former, cattle have been hitherto allowed everywhere)
23 shows a total of 1,144 buffaloes and camels (8 annas fine) ; 753 horses, bujlocks,
24 ae &c. ({ annas fine) ; 1,206 goats, &c. (1 anna); and 241
25 lealization of fines. : : ‘
26 calves and asses (2 annas),—total rcalizations being
27 Rs. 865-12-0.
28 134. It is a most unfortunate circumstance, and one which I hope may
29 Great defects of the attract theattention of the Legislature, that the Act even in
30 “* Cattle Trespass Act.” = its revised form should have ficed the pound fees instead
31 of leaving them to the discretion of Local Government by rules published in the
32 Gazette. ‘
33 135. In the first place the fines are so low thatin our plantations, where in
34 the first year there 1s magnificent grass, it pavs handsoinely to trespass and bear
35 the fine, and we only succeeded in stopping the trespass inone plantation near
36 Lahore (which ought not to require such trouble) by astonishing the villages by
37 simultaneously prosecuting on the civil side for damages and on the criminal
38 for trespass, instead of resorting to the useless Cattle Act.
39 136. The feesare also badly fixed ; for goats and sheep, which are infinitely
40 more mischievous in forests than either bullocks, cows or
41 asses, are, nevertheless, let off with a fine of 1 anna only,
42 while a cow gets four annas.
43 Scale of fees defective
44 for furest purposes.
45 137. JAr. Sparling will be directed to maintain cattle statistics like
46 Mr. Wild's.
47 138. Plantation Division.—Cattle trespass forms the chief, if not the only,
48 offence which is met by the various pounds established at
49 all the principal plantations. In the Jaggran and Shahdra
50 Plantations near Lahore the villagers sent cattle at night, and when pounded
51 paid the fine and came again. This was stopped, as already related, by an action
52 for damages, and by criminal prosecution for mischief, &c. No other crime is
53 specially reported.
54 Offences in Plantations.
55 SrecTrion I[V.—MAaNAGEMENT AND IMPROVEMENT,
56 139. This subject may be treated as in the last report by divisions, and
57 will include the record of the work of the Plantation Division.
58 140. JShelam Division. —The work in the Hazdéra Forests consisted in their
59 survey and dcmarcation, the results of which have since
60 been reported to Government. In the Kaghan Forests
61 nothing can be done till thoy are similarly surveyed and
62 demarcated,—a work which it 1s hoped the summer of 1872 will see finished. AI
63 Kaghin and Hazéra
64 Forests,