1 4. Itis to Lara Bloomfield, the Deputy Commissioner of Balaghat, that
2 Government is indebted for bringing to light the value and importance of this
3 tract.
4 5. In 1870-71 attention was drawn to the injury done in the forests of the
5 eee ete ae Sagar district by indiscriminate felling, and in the same
6 Huthku. reserves year Mr. Strettell, Deputy Conservator, was deputed to
7 examine these tracts and devise a scheme for the remedy
8 of the evil above-mentioned, On Mr. Strettell’s proposals the Chief Commis-
9 sioner was pleased to direct that Ranipura, Rangir, and Huthku tracts should be
10 reserved, with the view of securing a supply of fuel and small building material
11 proportionate to the demand,
12 6, Attached is a map illustrating the position of all the State forests.
13 FIRST PART SPECIAL.
14 HEAD I.—Stare anp Leasep Forests,
15 Section J,
16 Area, boundaries.
17 7. Attached isa return of the State forests, giving the area and boundaries
18 as they stood at the close of the year.
19 8. A sketch map illustrating the progress in the permanent demarcation
20 of this tract has been prepared and accompanies this re-
21 port. Of the outer boundary line, 323 miles was cut to
22 a width of 80 feet for Rs. 980, or about Rs. 30 per mile ; and 22 miles of line
23 of the same width was cleared ata cost of Rs. 144 or about Rs. 7 per mile.
24 The division of the eastern portion of the forest into blocks was completed by
25 the cutting of 31 miles of block lines 15 feet wide, which cost Rs. 250, or about
26 Rs, 8 per mile; while in the western portion blocks were defined by cutting
27 604 miles of block lines of the same width, at a cost of Rs. 304, or about Rs. 5
28 per mile. It is feared that the Revenue Survey party will not take up the Sur-
29 vey of that portion of the reserve west of the Pench river this season, and as the
30 result of the Survey will probably necessitate some modification of tho forest
31 boundary, the final demarcation ot the forest cannot at present be carried out,
32 owing to the transfer of Mr. Thompson from the Central Division to Ahiri,
33 which became necessary on the opening of sleeper operations for the Wardha
34 Valley Railway; the charge of the Division devolved on Mr. Mckee, whose other
35 duties connected with the Forest accounts prevented his taking the field for more
36 than a few days. It is not therefore a matter for surprise that under this head a
37 larger amount of work is not shown.
38 Satpura reserve,
39 9. The demarcation of this tract has been carried out during the year.
40 eben Along the outer boundary, 96 miles in length, a line 30
41 feet wide has been cut at a cost of Rs. 864-8-0, or about
42 Rs. 9 per mile. The boundaries of the inlying private estates, 26 miles in length,
43 have also been defined in the same manner for Re. 236-0-10, or about the same
44 rate per mile. The boundaries of this forest have not been surveyed, and hence
45 the area given is merely estimated.
46 10. The demarcation of this reserve has already been carried out under the
47 orders of Captain Bloomfield, Deputy Commissioner,
48 Balaghat, by clearing a line 30 feet wide round its north-
49 ern, eastern, and southern limits. On the west the Wainganga forms the
50 boundary, and no demarcation is necessary. The tract has yet to be surveyed
51 and mapped.
52 Pandratola reserve.