1 ( 41 )
2 The tract of Sal forests just at Sivoke, noted as No. 7, might have the creepers cut and
3 useless trees; about 30U acres was cleared last March and April.
4 There is little or nothing to be done in the way of clearing rivers in this sub-division,
5 or bridging.
6 Tu the hills of Sikkim sub-division there are the following tracts :—~
7 1, Mohaldram, from Jore bungalow to Kurseong.
8 2. Juot Punchar, from Rungee Room to Goramara hills.
9 3. Outer hills, from Rung Thung to Teesta river.
10 4. Merig.
11 §. Lohaghur.
12 No. 1 tract is well stocked with timber of kinds, Magnolia, Oak, Chestnut, &c.; some of
13 this timber is fully matured, and will never be better than it now is. There is a greater
14 number of Oak than any other trees on this tract. At present there is no market for timber
15 off this range of hills, and it is impossible to remove it to a market at any distance without
16 a very great outlay of money. A number of trees, principally Chestnut, are sold yearly to
17 contractors, who remove these themselves (timber removed by purchasers).
18 No. 2 is avery large tract of forest, and is -very well stocked with timber, such as
19 Challownee, Toon, Sil, &c.,a few Chestnut, Oak, and Magnolia on the upper ranges, but it is
20 almost impossible to have it removed. The timber is only at present useful for shingles and
21 light scantlings, which natives cut on the spot and carry to market or supply private parties
22 with for house building, &c. The lower range of Lot Punchar, which comes down to the
23 head of the Mahanuddy, is very rich in Toon, Sal, and other timber, such as Urjoon, ce.
24 This timber could come down the bed of the Mahanuddy if a small cart tract was made to
25 the foot of the hills or head of tne river; but as there is now no market for timber, I would
26 not recommend any felling, of timber in Sikkim at all. Toon is gencrally sold on the spot
27 where it stands, and is cut up and removed in planks, &c., for tea boxes by the purchasers,
28 which is really the only use Toon is put to in this district.
29 No. 3.—These hills over Sivoke, and running to Sookna and up to Sindaree, are well
30 stocked with Sal, Toon, and other trees, except on the very lower slopes at Sivoke Jhara and
31 on the west of Mahanuddy, where all full grown Sal has been cut. It is impossible to form an
32 idea what supply these hills would give, as no regular survey has been made; but there is no
33 doubt that a very large supply could be got if it could be removed from the hills. The hills
34 from Sivoke up the valley of the Teesta, and joining Lot Punchar on the west, have had nearlv
35 all the good S4l cut by the Forest Department in 1869, and by the villagers on the east of
36 Mohaldram and joining the hills on the banks of the Teesta, as far as Rayong. Timber cannot
37 be got out veal in planks, shinglings, scantlings, &«., as there is a valley or gorge which
38 makes it difficult, if not impossible, to get timber to the Teesta or Mahanuddy.
39 No 4, “ Moerig,”’ is a small tract of hills without any timber of any kind on it; it would
40 do well for planting purposes.
41 No. 5, “ Lohaghur.”—This tract has some fine young Sal on it, but very little matured
42 timber ; it would not give more than about 100 full grown trees, if s0 much. The Sal on this
43 range of low hills is not so good as it is found on the other hills of the district ; it looks well,
44 but is spongy and soft. I am of opinion that it would be uselessto try anything to improve
45 these hill tracts beyond preserving strictly from fires villages and large herds of cattle,
46 bathans, Ke.
47 Bhatan Sub-diriston.
48 1, Leesh and Gheesh.
49 2. Toondoo or Mynagooree.
50 3. West of Moortee river, or part of |
51 Mynagooree.
52 - Mooraghat.
53 . Luckeepoora.
54 . Boroghar Latalie.
55 . Buxa.
56 ~1 Co C1 fe
57 No. 1 tract, Bhutan sub-division, may be said to commence on east bank of the Teesta
58 near Sivoke. Although it is said to bo in Sikkim sub-division, it is in the district of Julm-
59 gooree ; I therefore put this tract in Bhutan division. It runs at the foot of the hills known
60 us Dumsung sub-division to Leesh and Gheesh, covering an area of about 2,000 acres. It is
61 dense grass and creeper jungle, with common troes on it here and there, till the Rungdung
62 Jhara, which is simply “ nall” jungle and the homestead and stronghold of elephants and
63 rhinoceros. The first part of this jungle, on crossing the Teesta, is high ground and very rich,
64 anndy soil and well drained; there is not more than about 20 Sal trees on it. From Teesta to
65 Rungdung Jhara it is complete waste land. On crossing the Rungdung Jhara the land is
66 undwiating, well drained for the most part, but poor, and red sandy clay without any surtace
67 soil. No Sal trees of any kind are on this last patch ; there is dense grass, and here and there
68 creeper jungle.
69 d