1 4
2 in Kamthi at about 30 per cent below the current market rates. This is strong
3 evidence of the reserve being sufficiently accessible to supply the demands of
4 Kamthi and Nagpur ; while the small quantity of wood taken from the reserve
5 shows clearly that there are other sources from which the demands of these sta-
6 tions can at present be met. The change in the rates levied on cattle grazmg in
7 the forest, which have been raised to Rs. 14 per hundred head of cows and bul-
8 locks, and Rs. 20 per hundred head of buffaloes, has not tended to diminish the
9 number of cattle grazed, notwithstanding that the permits only extended over
10 eight months of the year, and that from the areas under protection from fire
11 cattle have been excluded altogether. This appears to indicate that to a certain
12 extent the people of the op pea country are dependent on the reserve for
13 grazing ground. There can be no doubt that this forest 1s capable of supplying
14 the requirements of the agriculturalists residing within 20 or 25 miles to the
15 south of it, and also of the large towns and stations of Nagpur, Kamthi, Kalmes-
16 war, and Ramtek; but at present the forest requires rest, and the small demand
17 upon it is therefore scarcely to be regretted. The restrictions which the preser-
18 vation of the forest as a future source of supply necessitates seem to be the only
19 cause for its being drawn upon to so small an extent.
20 18. These reserves, situated to the east of the Mahanadi, with vast tracts
21 Hathibari and Kantera nala Of unreserved forest between them and the cultivated
22 reserves. plains of Chhattisgarh, do not contribute in supplying the
23 ordinary requirements of the people. They were reserved purely with the view
24 of securing a moderate supply of large timber in the eastern portion of the
25 Provinces.
26 19. The Punasa reserve, which is on an average 12 milesdistant from the
27 Great Indian Peninsula Railway, and is connected with
28 the Indore line by the Narbada river, along the banks
29 of which it lies, will be largely drawn upon both for export to the north and also
30 to meet the local demand at Khandwa. At present, owing to its exhausted con-
31 dition, it contributes but slightly in meeting the wants of the agricultural classes ;
32 but with the prospect of increasing cultivation along the Chota Tawa river and
33 the line of a it seems more than probable that the resources of this tract
34 will some day be heavily taxed.
35 Punasa reserve.
36 20. This reserve is at present drawn upon by the people of the Narbada
37 eae Valley from Harda to Harsud. The revenue derived
38 it reserve, Pn
39 from the supply of small timber and bamboos, together
40 with the grazing dues, &c., amounts for the past year to about Rs. 5,000, which
41 shows that the present demand is not large; but it is reasonable to expect that
42 cultivation will extend in the direction of Charwa, in which case the Kalibhit
43 reserve must become a valuable source of supply.
44 21. Notwithstanding that there are forest lands the property of private
45 Aaiiiorail vases individuals adjoining this reserve, Rajaborari is at pre-
46 sent drawn on to some extent by the people of the Valley
47 between the Gunjal river and Harda ; although this reserve is more accessible
48 than any other forest tract to the people of this part of the Valley, it is not at
49 present their only source of supply. On the west are the forest lands of Ind-
50 pura, and the Macri state, while on the east and about 15 miles further are the
51 unreserved forests of the Barasoul hills. The Rajaborari reserve is, however,
52 more conveniently situated, and though the more accessible portions have in past
53 years been most shamefully mutilated, its importance as a future source of supply
54 of small timber, bamboos, and fuel seems unquestionable.
55 22. Though the present demand on this reserve is very limited, a portion
56 slawlipask: ress of it is rarer accessible to the people of the Narbada
57 ro reserve,
58 Valley between Seoni and the Gungal to admit of its
59 11—126— 550