1 5
2 being looked upon as the source from which their wants can be supplied. I be
3 lieve that even now there is difficulty in procuring bamboos from any other
4 source.
5 23. These forests cannot be looked upon as sources from which the ordinary
6 forest requiroments of the people should be met, though
7 Rori, Bowergarh, and Kama- the superior quality of the timber yielded by them will
8 sare lacs some day attract purchasers from a considerable distance.
9 94. The reserves in the Northern Division are closed against all felling,
10 and hence there is no means of measuring the extent to
11 which they would be drawn upon for smal] building ma-
12 terial, &c., but a reference to the map shows that Burala and Sigrampur are con-
13 veniently situated as regards the station of Jabalpur. The following extract
14 eo register gives some idea of the merits of Sigrampur as a source of
15 BUPPsy
16 Burala and Sigrampur reser vos-
17 Jabalpur is at present the only place within reach which can be classed as
18 a market for timber of large dimensions, distant thirty miles. There are,
19 however, Katangi, and sevoral large villages in the neighborhood within
20 fifteen miles east and south-east, which must always require a large
21 supply of light timber and forest produce. These villages are surround-
22 ed with cultivation, and it is for their requirements that the forest being
23 described is considered valuable,”
24 25. These forests were reserved on account of their capabilities for produc-
25 Jugmundal aud Choharigho- ing teak timber, but their chief value at present is repre-
26 garb reserves. sented by the goud supply of bamboos they contain, and
27 which are necessary for floating the timber from the sil forests, while the bam-
28 boos thus brought down can be oftered for sale at moderate prices in the Jabal-
29 pur market.
30 26, There are some flourishing villages in the vicinity of this forest, but it
31 is impossible at present to say what share the reserve
32 may eventually take in meeting the wants of the people,
33 As a rule, the produce of sdl forests is not adapted to these requirements.
34 Dijeraghogarh roserve,
35 27, The five reserves in the Sagar district are chiefly valuable as sources
36 ” Hamaraai tal ia wie He. for the supply of fuel, grass, and small timber. At pre-
37 sent I have not at my disposal sufficient information re-
38 garding the population in the vicinity of these tracts to be able to discuss the
39 merits of each separately, but none of them are very, extensive, and, as a whole,
40 they are only capable of meeting a very limited portion of the demand in the
41 Sagar district.
42 Section III,
43 Protection.
44 28. During the year under report a redistribution of officers and charges
45 has taken place, the forests of the Sagar and Nimar districts having been sepa-
46 rated from the Northern and Western Divisions respectively, and formed into
47 separate charges under the control of the District officers with Forest officers as
48 Assistants, wlule the Southern Division wag broken up with the intention of
49 forming Chanda and Wardha into similay charges. p to the present time,
50 however, it has not been possible to post a Forest Officer to either of these dis-
51 tricts, The extensive sleeper operations in connection with the Wardha Valley