1 ( 3 )
2 10. As was stated in a previous report, the general inspection of forests
3 in Assam terminated early in 1871, when a detailed
4 survey of certain tracts was commenced. The
5 work was interrupted by the departuro of the divisional forest officer on sick
6 leave, and was not taken up again until January 1872, when a survey of forest
7 tracts in the Dhunsiri river, Sibsaugor district, by Mr. Forrest, and in the
8 Kamroop Dooars by Mr. Aylmer, was commenced, ‘with a view to seleetion of
9 Reserves, Selections have been made during the past season in both these
10 districts, and the reporta have been submitted to the Commissioner of the division
11 for consideration. One of the Reserves has been approved by the Commissioner,
12 and will be immediately taken charge of by the Forest Department.
13 Assam
14 11. Together with other forests in Kamroop, the Jeerung forests, referred
15 to in paragraph 4 of last yoar’s report, wero
16 inspected with a view to ascertaining their value
17 and drawigg up a report for the orders of Government regarding their manage-
18 ment. Detailed information regarding this inspection has not up to date been
19 received, as the report has first to go to the Commissioner of the division for
20 his opinion, after which it will be submitted to Government.
21 12. Mr. Shakespear traversed the tract of country to the south-eas$ of
22 the district of Sylhet, bordering on Cachar ce the
23 territory of Tipperah. Extracts from his rgpart
24 giving, though in a rather desultory manner, a good deal of information-regard-
25 ing the tracts he visited, will be found in an appendix to this report... From
26 what ho states it is evident, as was supposed, that the country hag been, almost:
27 every where cleared of its forests by the usual methods, z.e., jhoomjng*and
28 indiscriminate felling and waste.
29 13. ‘There appears to be a large supply of timber from Cachar, aad the
30 demand in the distriet, where gre&t numbers of
31 boats are built and sold for river.trgffic,, far ‘and
32 near, is very considerable. The.supplies of other torest prodtye, eshgk as
33 bamboos, grass, wax, and lac-dye, together with Incha-rubber anda kind of
34 incense obtained from the Ajar tree (Aquilariasp), are in “the aggregate
35 considerable.
36 14. Government, however, except at the Sealtek Ghat, where timber and
37 bamboos passing down from Cachar pay river toll,
38 obtain no reyenue cither from timber or other forest
39 produce in the district. ‘Tho land in SyThet seems to be chiefly the property
40 of zemindars whose estates are settled decennially, and the Government rights
41 to portions of the forests scem to be undetermined, as is also the boundary Line,
42 except at certain points between British territory and Till Tipperah, so that
43 it will take time before any very satisfactory steps for protection of timber can
44 be taken. The Assistant Conservator mentions that restrictions have beon placed
45 by the Collector on the felling of tynber. The nature of these restrictions, as
46 a of the rights of Government, are at present subjects of inquiry.
47 15. The Assistant Conservator had to* undergo considerable hardships
48 during his journey owing to the general wnwilling-
49 ness of the zemindars to assist him with coolies
50 or supplies of food. These difficulties, however, will be lightened hereafter, as
51 he wil be better prepared for the nature of the country to be explored.
52 Inspection of Jeorung forcats.
53 Dacea division, Sylhet.
54 Supplies of foreat produce.
55 No forest revenue in Sylhet.
56 Difficulties in travelling.
57 CuUTrAGONG.
58 16. In this division Mr. H. H. Davis explored the forests on the
59 Kurnatoolee river and its tributarios, the Remgkeong, Soobalong, Kassualome,
60 and Myance, and also between the Burkal and Demargiri mountains. His
61 linear valuation surveys show the existence of considerable quautities" of :the
62 valuable kinds of timber in these tracts. These survoys extended along 44 milog
63 ‘of forest, cquul to an area of 331 acres, on which 750 first class, 695 second