Creation of Reserved and Protected Forests

By the late 19th century, the Sundarbans' reserved and protected forests had become a significant economic asset, generating annual revenues of Rs. 2,79,408 with minimal expenditure (Rs. 65,251). This transformation was driven by early conservation efforts initiated in 1862 under Dr. Brandis, which evolved into a more structured system by 1873 under Mr. Home and Dr. Schlich. Their approach focused on regulating timber exports while setting size limits for sundri tree felling (3 cubits girth) and establishing royalty rates for sundri wood (½ anna per maund) and firewood (¼ anna per maund). Dr. Schlich's recommendation to place the entire unleased area under Forest Department control proved successful, marking a pivotal shift in forest management that balanced conservation with economic benefits.

Ascoli, F. D., & Bhattacharyya, A. (2019). Creation of Reserved and Protected Forests. A Revenue History of the Sundarbans, 161–172. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003018667-7