Description
“Forestry in the Madras Presidency” by Sir Dietrich Brandis is a foundational work detailing the state and management of forests in the Madras Presidency during British rule in India. The book outlines forest types, local vegetation, and the challenges of deforestation due to shifting cultivation and overexploitation. Brandis emphasizes scientific forestry, conservation, and sustainable resource use. He documents sacred groves, community practices, and proposes administrative reforms, laying the groundwork for forest laws and institutional forestry in southern India.