1 ( 22 )
2 117. It sooms advisable, whilst treating the receipts and expenditure of
3 the Forest Department separately, also to show
4 forest revenue received from all sources in order
5 that Government may sec what their forest property brings in yearly and
6 watch all its fluctuations. At present there is still a considerable item of
7 revonue which is clearly forest revenue, but is not shown under this head.
8 General remarks
9 118. The collections for lease of Soom forests in Assam for silk-worm
10 feeding is here referred to. At present they are
11 shown under “ land revenue,” which seoms scarcely
12 correct.
13 119. The Deputy Commissioners have furnished the following infor-
14 mation regarding the leasing of the Soom forests.
15 Soom forests.
16 DURRUNG.
17 120. The areca leased during the past year was 1,095d. 4c. 13/. at the
18 rate of 8 annas per boegah as Furringhutter land; the amount received
19 was Ks. 548. There are about 600 beegahs of Soom forests besides in the
20 district unlet.
21 SIBSAUGOR.
22 The area of Soom forests let out in 1871-72 was 45,774 beegahs, in
23 which Rs. 22,872 was collected, ten acres being at Re. 1 per acre and the rest
24 at 8 annas per acre.
25 There are other Soom forests besides these in the districts, but the extent
26 is not known.
27 KAMROOP.
28 In this district 5,178 beegahs of Soom were let for Rs. 2,316; this is
29 at the rate of 8 annas per beegah for kheraj lands, and 4 annas per beegah
30 for lakheraj lands. There is scattered Soom in different parts of the district
31 besides what is leased.
32 NoOWGONG.
33 There are no Soom forest tracts in this district. Soom trees are generally
34 grown within the ryots’ holdings, and the plots of land on which they are
35 grown are assessed as Furringhutter at 8 annas per beegah, or bustuar at
36 Re. 1 per beegah. They are not separately settled.
37 LUCKIMPORE.
38 No return received.
39 oe The total area leased during the year was 52,047
40 aarne teehee becgahs, and the amount received was Rs. 25,736.
41 121. There is much more Soom forests in Assam than is used for the
42 purpose of silk-worm ss and possibly after receipt of the provincial report
43 expected on silk"produce and manufacture, it may be possible to do some thing
44 to stimulate the produce by facilitating the purchase and distribution of silk-
45 worms’ eggs in thie district.
46 122. The collections on forest produce made by civil officers are shown
47 Statement of collections by civil under the different heads in the statement which
48 officers. follows.