Forest Management in British Garhwal
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Exploitation of Forest Resources-1
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British Administration in Garhwal -101
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History of British Rule/Administration over Kumaun and Garhwal (1815-1947) -119
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History of Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon and Haridwar) -956
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By: Bhishma Kukreti (History Student)
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Old Custom of Forest Management in Garhwal
The Garhwal Forests had two major types –
1-Shivalik and Bhabhar Forests
2--Hill Forests
Though, the forests were state property, Garhwal Kings used to get income from Shivalik and Bhabhar forests. Anybody could cut trees from Bhabhar –Shivalik forests and could make furniture, coal or could uses for fuel. When the person used to export furniture or wood, the sate used to levy export tax (Nikasi kar). There was tax on extraction of Katha. State used to offer contract for collecting export tax on forest goods produces.
In hills, the villagers used to consume forest products without paying any tax. State used to take tax from mines only.
Change in Forest Management in Garhwal in British Rule
For three years of initial British rule, British administration kept same custom of forest management.
In 1817, the administration ended ‘Nikasi kar’ (export tax) and government instructed Trail for levying tax on Bhabhar and Shivalik forests as ‘Kath –Bans –Malhas’ tax.
The forest tax income from 1818 till 1829 in Rs. was as follows (Atkinson)-
Year------------------Kumaon income----------Garhwal income-----------Total
1818-19---------------2644-------------------------566-------------------------3200
1819-20---------------3327-------------------------662-------------------------3929
1820-21---------------4038-------------------------812--------------------------4850
1821-22---------------4579--------------------------924------------------------5503
1822-23----------------5368------------------------934-------------------------6302
1823-24----------------5735------------------------1138-------------------------7101
1826-27---------------2216-------------------------1100----------------------3366
1827—28-------------2264--------------------------1381---------------------3675
1828--29---------------2620---------------------------1405-------------------4025
There had been continuous conflicts in bordering south region of Garhwal-Kumaon and north bordering regions of Moradabad and Barrely. In 1824, the south region were handed over to Moradabad and Barelly.
In 1826, the order was reversed and Garhwal Bhabhar –Kumaon Bhabhar came under Kumaon division.
Before, 1828, Charai kar (Grazing tax) in Bhabhar was separate than Kath-Bans Malhas tax . In 1828, The administration offered contract of wood to contractors of ‘Chrai’ too.
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Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti Mumbai, India, bckukreti@gmail.com 31/12/2016
History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand, India) to be continued… Part -957
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*** History of British Rule/Administration over British Garhwal (Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli1815-1947) to be continued in next chapter
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(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)
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References
1-Shiv Prasad Dabral ‘Charan’, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Part -7 Garhwal par British -Shasan, part -1, page- 279-286
2- Atkinson, Himalayan Districts, Vol.-1 page 845-847
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History of British Rule, Administration , Policies, Revenue system, over Garhwal, Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule , Administration , Policies Revenue system over Pauri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system over Chamoli Garhwal, Nainital Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system over Rudraprayag Garhwal, Almora Kumaon, Uttarakhand; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies ,Revenue system over Dehradun , Champawat Kumaon, Uttarakhand ; History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, ,Revenue system over Bageshwar Kumaon, Uttarakhand ;
History of British Rule, Administration, Policies, Revenue system over Haridwar, Pithoragarh Kumaon, Uttarakhand;
