Page:Gazetteer of the province of Oudh ... (IA cu31924024153987).pdf/242

 BAH

Ui

In the Nawabi the standard measure for spirits was the hdnels or bottle, which held from 10 to 12 chhatiks weight of liquor, and Nawabi

prices compresent with

pared

8 bottles of ttis size of first-class sharab "^ ditto second „ > cost Ee. 12 „ j, third 16 ditto (, „ ,, }

prices.

I.

It thus appears that the price of liquor is now on the average nearly four times that at which it was Sold in the Nawabi. In face of these figures our dbkari system can Scarcely be charged with eiicouraging drunkenness.

The seren

which the forests are divided departmentally are under the charge of an assistant conservator, with ^ ^*^^ °^ rangers and foresters. Prior to the year tion prior ttm^T^m.'^ 1868 the forests seem to have been left pretty much to themselves. The conservancy was entrusted mainly to native agency or to European superintendence (supervisors of a class from which nothing but a lax discharge of duties and confused accountfi could be expected). sections into

A marked improvement

in the

management

of the forests has resulted

from the appointment to the charge of them of reThe

drawbacks

to

sponsible officers. The conservancy now is as strict ^ •. i n -u -xx j j as it well can be as long as grazmg is permitted, and " the three-mile rule" (which allows all residents within that distance to It certainly is not cut the unreserved woods for private use) holds good. desirable that either of these rights should be confiscated, but there is no objection that can be reasonably urged against shutting up certain portions of the forest into which no one but the foxest officers should be conservancy.

•

''

allowed entry.

The

which are being driven through the various sections dividing the forest into convenient blocks, will mateForest roads rially facilitate the carrying out of such a system, at the same time that they render timber operations more feasible, and confer a benefit on the surrounding country by opening up communicaexcellent roads

tions.

One

line deserves especial mention, viz., that which,

in all the sections adjoining the Naipal territory, has been cut along the frontier, thus serving the double purpose of a road and a permanent boundary. It would not be difficult to connect the ends of these roads by a similar track carried along the frontier, and thus secure a line of communication which would be very useful in the event of disturbances on the borders. Frontier roads.

The more systematic administration revenue

21,892-12-1



and

of the forests has resulted directly ^^ increased revenue, the net profit from the division being in 1867-68, Rs. 7,432-14-4 ; in 1868-69, Rs. in 1869-70, Rs. 25,691-15-0. For the past three years--

The average receipts have been The average expenditure Average net

pfofli

...

...

Ra.

...

„

...

Ks.

33,219 3 8 13,175 13 11 20,043

5

9