Page:Indian Journal of Economics Volume 2.djvu/671

 IIDIAR PUEL PROBLEM $$8 connecting the forests with the markets and the pfmcity o efficient transport arrangements within the forests, tend to cost of carriage. extend the lead and enhance the Again, the facilities for importing fuel which India possesses are vastly inferior to those of the West. Hence, it would follow that when we do encounter a serious shortage in our fuel supplies, the distress in the country must prove, acute, the sufring widespread and intense and not at all easy serious contingency, which we should The gra- to remedy. This is do well to consider even from now on. dual industrialisation of the country must lead to the starting of new industries as of old 6nos, which are now well as the expansion partially handicapped by cement and glss-msking, pottery in be lack of fuel, e.g., works, soap-boiling etc.  Again, any improvement India's seenernie position will very probably followed by s general rise in the standard of living, consumption of fuel increase in the both as regards The latter would brick and lime it could be shown them- with the in- which should lead to & larger for domestic purposes, and to an demand for housing accommodation, the quality and the quantity of it. mean s demand for more fuel, for kilns and cement factories. And if shown that our fuel resources have not selves capable of advancing pari passu creased demand therefor, our outlook must be deemed sufficiently serious--and almost depressing. For the purposes of our enquiry it would be necessary to form an estimate of the probable volume of consumption of fuel of all kinds in the country, ! We have few lorest t.re..wys in India. Where they exist, th.e,y am main. tined Ior the transport el tomber, and not firewood. Alresd.y in dofferent peas el the country the high price el fiwood has been eaurang acute distress. There are places in which firewood costs Be. 40 s ten. In the nr future, it .is not ,*improlxtble theft the milemile el the Indian mllwy will be oonsi(tembly ,naressod. This would imply more demfmd lot Incl.