forests occupy the lower spurs, the Siwaliks in Hoshyarpur, etc., and the low dry hills of the north-west. A strong growth of chir pine (Pinus longifolia) is often found in the Himalaya between 3000 and 5000 feet. Below 3000 feet is scrub forest, the only really valuable product being bamboo. The hills in the north-western districts of the Panjab and N.W.F. Province, when nature is allowed to have its way, are covered with low scrub including in some parts a dwarf palm (Nannorhops Ritchieana), useful for mat making, and with a taller, but scantier growth of phuldhi (Acacia modest a) and wild olive. What remains of the scrub and grass jangal of the plains is to be found chiefly in the Bar tracts between the Sutlej and the Jhelam. Much of it has disappeared, or is about to disappear, with the advance of canal irrigation. Dry though the climate is the Bar was in good seasons a famous grazing area. The scrub consisted mainly of jand (Prosopis spicigera), jdl (Salvadora oleoides), the karil (Capparis aphylla) and the far ash (Tamarix articulata).
Management and Income of Forests.— The Forest Department of the Panjab has existed since 1864, when the first Conservator was appointed. In 1911-12 it managed 8359 square miles in the Panjab consisting of:
- Reserved Forests 1844 square miles
- Protected ,, 5203
- Unclassed ,, 1312
It was also in charge of 235 square miles of reserved forest in the Hazara district of the N.W.F. Province, and of 364 miles of fine mountain forest in the native State of Bashahr. In addition a few reserved forests have been made over as grazing areas to the Military Department, and Deputy Commissioners are in charge of a very large area of unclassed forest.
