THE HISTORY AND FUNCTIONING OF THE FOREST DEPARTMENT IN MADRAS PRESIDENCY DURING 1856–1882

Abstract

The demand for the Indian timbers increased in the beginning of the 19th century. This forced the Colonial Government to depute officials for formulating new policies and enacting forest acts in British occupied territories of India. Madras was one such presidency where the timber was in abundant and the new policies of the government expedited the deforestation of forest reserves in south India after 1800 CE. The scientific forestry in South India was started in 1806 after the appointment of Captain Watson, a Police officer as first conservator of India. This paper reconnoitres the history and functioning of the Forest department in Madras presidency during the period between H.F. Cleghorn’s appointment in 1856 as the first regular Conservator of Forests and the enactment of the first Madras Forest Act in 1882.