Forests and Forestry in the Madras State

The Madras Forests have been under systematic forest management for now nearly a century. Most of the forests are State owned and a well organized State Forest Department, headed by a Chief Conservator of Forests, administers these forests. Correlated to climatic and edaphic variations, six distinct forest types are recognizable, viz., the tropical rains, moist deciduous, dry deciduous, dry thorn, littoral and coastal forests and high level temperate grass areas. Each type is worked silviculturally in the manner most suited to it. A feature worthy of special mention is the extensive plantations of teak (the oldest dates from 1846). The important timber output is in teak, rosewood, and hardwoods for general constructional and other uses, as also a number of broad leaved softwoods utilized in the plywood trade and the manufacture of matches. The State shares with Mysore State almost a world monopoly in the production of sandalwood. Large areas of the State's forests are utilized for meeting local needs for firewood and grazing. Natural resources in this respect are supplemented by plantations of casuarina in the plains and blue gum and wattle in the hills. The spike disease of sandal is a problem that has eluded solution for many years. The upgrading of secondary timber species by suitable treatment and seasoning awaits development, as also the improved utilization by medicinal plants and tan substances. In favourable localities the State's forests abound in a variety of wildlife, a typical locality in Mudumalai being maintained as a Game Sanctuary.