Dr.H.F.C. Cleghorn Founder of Forest Conservancy in India

Dr.H.F.C. Cleghorn

Founder of Forest

Conservancy in India

S. Subbarayalu, I.F.S (Retd)

Notion Press

5 Muthu Kalathy Street, Triplicane,

Chennai - 600 005

First Published by Notion Press 2014

Copyright © S. Subbarayalu 2014

All Right Reserved.

ISBN: 978-93-83808-54-0

This book has been published in good faith that the work of the author is original. All efforts have been taken to make the material error-free. However, the author and the publisher disclaim the responsibility.

No part of this book may be used, reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Dr. H. F. C. Cleghorn, Founder of Forest Conservancy in India

Dr. Hugh F.C. Cleghorn

Dedicated to

my beloved wife Sujana

Preface

From my early years as a student at the University of Edinburgh, I was interested in Dr Cleghorn’s pioneering work in Forest Conservation in India. The only available information was that he was known as the first Conservator of Forests. But apart from that, there was not much information available. Then the article on Dr. Cleghorn by Mr. S. Muthiah came in The Madras Miscellany of Nov 23rd 2009 wherein he had mentioned, …now very few people know about this Surgeon. This prompted me to undertake further study on Dr. Cleghorn and his works in the area of deforestation.

This subject has gained importance now with respect to the Western Ghats since it has been declared as a hot spot by UNESCO. As a result, various steps are being taken to prevent any disturbance to the valuable forests of that region. With the Internet, the accessibility of many libraries and Archives in India and abroad, I took up this task of writing a book on Dr. Cleghorn.

In the book, I have dealt with how Dr. Cleghorn, a Surgeon in the East India Company who came to India to treat sick people, took to saving the forests, how he was able to bring about the concept of Forest Management in India when it was not being practiced in Britain, At that time, the forest was considered a store house for timber and fuel, and its other beneficial effects were ignored. Among the Surgeons apart from Dr. Cleghorn there were others like Dr. Balfour, Dr. Gibson, Dr. Wallich and Dr. R. Wight who were aware of the importance of forests for the various other benefits. Dr. Balfor’s efforts in linking famine to deforestation are also highlighted. They expressed their anguish on deforestation and wrote about this extensively.

When Dr. Cleghorn went home on long leave, he survived a ship wreck. He also took the matter of deforestation to all scientific forums and presented a report recommending the scientific management of forests. How he was able to achieve this difficult task is explained in the book. The Cleghorn Papers in St. Andrews University where he studied also came in handy. These papers gave a lead to his early days in Scotland as well as many incidents in his life.

Other sources were the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh where his collection of books and plant drawings are kept, the Tamil Nadu Archives where old Government records were perused; and for books, the Connemara Library, the Madras Literary Society, the Mohammedan Public Library, the Forest Department Library, Geomantics Centre in Forest Department, Chennai Snake Park Trust, Universities of Edinburgh , St. Andrews’ libraries and Harvard University Arnold Arboretum Library were consulted. I thank them for all the help given to me.

After establishing a separate department for Forest Conservation, Dr. Cleghorn’s efforts to consolidate the forests, banning shifting cultivation, regulating the working of forests for timber and fuel are discussed. His interest in raising avenue trees, canal bank planting and plantations of different species are also explained.

How his services were utilized by Government of India to start a Forest Department in the Punjab and also on all India basis is looked into.

It took me six years of research to gather the particulars of various persons and what their contributions were, from the above sources and put them all in proper sequence.

I received immense help from Mr.H. Noltie who is in the Royal Botanical Garden, Edinburgh. Others who also helped me are Dr. A. Raman from Charles Stuart University, Orange, New South Wales, and all the Librarians of the libraries mentioned above; The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and many others in the Forest Department. My thanks to them for all the help rendered.

FOREWORD

The British East India Company, a private company formed by wealthy merchants and aristocrats in 1675, enabled expansion of the British Empire in Asia. It consolidated its influence in India and secured monopoly over exploitation of natural resource by conquering her European rivals. The Company eventually came to rule large areas of India with its own private armies exercising military power and assuming administrative functions. After the India Rebellion the British government dissolved the Company and assumed direct control over India in 1858. The Company during its period had established a shipyard in Bombay (Mumbai) for the construction of ships of Indian teak that was considered to be the most valuable ship-timber. After take over, the British had access to India’s huge ship-building capacity, raw-material sources, technicians, shipwright that gave her a decisive edge of naval superiority and control of her empire. Burma was annexed by the middle of 19th century expanding its teak source.

Considered to be superior to European oak in certain wood properties and rate of growth, teak was much sought-after timber for ship-building, railway sleepers, general construction purposes for infrastructure to consolidate her control over the Subcontinent. Unquestionably teak became the hub of Indian forestry leading to economic and cultural development. Surprisingly many Edinburgh trained surgeons landed up jobs revolving around teak forest management in India. Dr. Hugh F. C. Cleghorn was one among them and joined as Assistant Surgeon in the Military Medical Service of the East India Company in 1842. At one time during British rule there were 800 surgeons with East India Company.

Botany was not offered as a distinct discipline in the Edinburgh College of medicine. However, it was considered a source of knowledge on plant medicines and it invariably formed part of medical course. Those who took medicine seriously developed an ardent desire for botanical knowledge of not only medicinal plants but also trees, forests. India with a high degree of tropical and subtropical forest biodiversity compared to that of European flora attracted many who took up plant taxonomic study earnestly. They prepared several key for flora found in different parts of the country and laid the foundation for forest botanical taxonomy for the first time in Asia. The number of persons involved in the study of flora was 28 surgeons, seven army officers, four missionaries and three administrators. While I was in Canberra, Australia in the early 1980’s one forest scientist of Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) expressed how India attracted so many eminent foresters from Europe and not Australia because it was considered too faraway! While in Edinburgh in 1848 on a long medical furlough Cleghorn addressed many scientific associations about deforestation in India and need for conservation. The subject assumed importance and drew the attention of highly influential British Association for the Advancement of Science (BAAS) in Edinburgh in 1850. The report of BASS published in 1851 spread the message far and wide. What was talked about as a general concept took a concrete shape of establishing an exclusive department to take care of the concerns of scientific management of forests. Cleghorn played an important role and the Government of India conferred on him the honor of The Founder of Conservancy in India in 1865.

A great contribution to Indian forest taxonomy was made by many contemporaries of Cleghorn. They prepared flora for identification of species in different types of forests where access was difficult and creature comforts almost absent. They journeyed on horseback and stayed in tents unmindful of severe tropical weather. The taxonomists list who served the country is a long one and they were remembered by the genus or the species named after them. The massive work set a new benchmark for the world and formed the basis of modern concept of biodiversity.

Apart from his core interest namely forest management Cleghorn took steps to popularize forests by holding exhibitions. He held exhibitions not only in London 1851 but also in districts in Madras in 1855 to familiarize local products, vegetable, animal and minerals of the state besides plant derived drugs of Mysore and Travancore. Cleghorn, with his keen interest in Economic Botany had written many articles regarding various plants he had come across. One of the articles on the subject published was ‘Notes on the Medical and Economic Resources of the Forests of India’ in a pharmaceutical journal.

The British rule witnessed creation of a number of botanical gardens at important places like Calcutta (Robert Kyd of Bengal Engineers, Roxburgh), Bombay (Gibson). Cleghorn was responsible for the creation of Lal Bagh (Bangalore) and Ooty Gardens (Uthagamandalam). The purpose was to educate and familiarize plants to the public.

After retirement, he took keen interest in establishing a Chair for forestry and Chair for Botany in the Universities of Edinburgh and St. Andrews respectively. He, an avid reader, donated his large collection of books on botany, forestry, German, French languages to the Museum of Science and Arts Edinburgh. Cleghorn, a trained professional surgeon turned into a forester, botanist, administrator, publicist and philanthropist and did justice to a rare multifaceted career as opportunities arose and faced many challenges in a land that was yet to witness modern management. By his eminence and earnestness he charmed celebrated fellow foresters and non-foresters and enriched many aspects of Indian forestry. No doubt the accomplishment is a testament to the commitment and public service of a Scot and it is no gainsaying that Cleghorn is a good part of the bedrock of Indian Forestry.

Senior Forester Mr. Subbarayalu who passed out of portals of famous Edinburgh College, Scotland is privileged to sketch a wonderful narrative about Cleghorn. It is a treasury of details beautifully woven into an absorbing story bringing out so many facets of his personality, circumstances, opportunity, learned contemporaries he met with and how he turned them into an enduring contribution to the culture of a country not of his own. He had garnished his account by nuggets of interesting facts – the murder of H.V.Conolly ,the Collector of Malabar who raised the first teak plantation in 1843 in Nilambur in the presence of his wife at his residence during Moplah Rebellion and burial in Calicut, the erection of a pillar by some friends near a banyan tree in the Botanical Garden, Calcutta in memory of Roxburgh‘s death in Edinburgh in 1815, the gracious gesture of Wight, an ardent taxonomist, to name one orchid as Govidooia nervosa and another medicinal plant Rungiah pectinta after the artists Govindoo and Rungiah respectively, and a lot more. The book is a labour of love over six years meant to be studied not only by foresters but also stakeholders, so informative and inspiring.

Chennai

S. Kondas

Contents

Title

Copyright

Dedication

Preface

Foreword

Introduction

1. Cleghorn’s early years in Scotland and Madras Presidency

2. Dr. Cleghorn’s first step in Conservation of Forests and the Cleghorn Papers

3. Denudation of forests; Surgeons study the effect

4. Dr. Cleghorn survives a ship wreck and launches an appeal for saving forests

5. Cleghorn returns to Madras

6. Surgeons involved in Conservation of Forests

7. Forest Conservation launched

8. Formation of the Forest Department in the Madras Presidency and its functioning

9. Teak plantation

10. Firewood and sleepers for Railways

11. Sholas in the Nilgiris

12. Dr. Cleghorn’s herbarium and drawings

13. Cleghorn’s deputation to Punjab

14. Cleghorn’s Introduction of forest conservancy in Madras Presidency

15. Dr. Brandis and Dr. Cleghorn appointed as Commissioners of Forests

16. Commencement of Indian Forest Service

17. Message of Forestry to Britain and America

18. Cleghorn after retirement

Appendix

Bibliography

INTRODUCTION

Forests were dear to our ancestors from time immemorial. Early mankind worshipped nature with all reverence and humility. It was a basic instinct embedded in them. The impact of the evolution reflected not only on the material substance, but also lead to an eventual and gradual change in cultural and social patterns. The growth of civilization warranted urbanization. The population explosion and the fast pace of urbanization led to a situation where there was a crunch for land and materials. It is unfortunate that ‘urbanities’ indulged in grabbing the forest lands with no consideration or vision for future generations. In addition to all these, various invasions had direct effect on the forest. The undue and unscrupulous damages caused by civilization and urbanization on natural resources have almost reached a stage beyond redemption. But, foresters and environmentalists relentlessly ‘sound the bugle’ with the hope that at least the remnants of our natural resources are spared for future generations.

If we glance back at the history of Indian forestry, there are indications that early populations cultivated their lands adjoining the forests and lived in peace, causing minimum damage to the forests. Even now, well-protected and very old sacred groves exist in many places. This shows that people lived in harmony with the forest. During Chandra Gupta Maurya’s time (340 BC-298 BC) there was a Superintendent of Forests who protected the forest areas. Under many rulers, forests were protected and classified as forests for firewood and timber, to be worked as per rules. Even during the days of the East India Company, the forests in the Travancore state and the forests with the Nilambur Raja were worked for timber with many restrictions, to avoid denudation.

This may spark a question in our minds! Were there not efforts to save our forests and natural resources from such destruction or degradation at any point of time? Yes, there were subdued or suppressed efforts, but these were not effective. To recollect a few who fought for conservation of nature in the past, we can cite the names of Dr.Gibson, Dr.Balfour, Dr Hugh. F.C. Cleghorn and Dr. Wallich. All of them were Surgeons.

Deforestation and degradation of forest wealth were unfortunate happenings that took place over centuries of civilisation, even in some advanced countries. The Indian sub-continent was no exception. Nature had endowed India with a rich stock of forest wealth. The Himalayan stretch in the North, the Vindyas and the Western Ghats, had to face the ravages caused by ruthless exploitation and sheer negligence. Colonisation of the Indian sub-continent by the British Empire, contributed its share to the degradation of our forest wealth. Large quantities of timber and forest products were extracted and transported by sea, and were used for local needs. Timber was extracted indiscriminately for railways and other development projects. It was a period when there was no organization or department exclusively for systematic forest management, such an arrangement was not felt imperative. The focus was to exploit the forests to meet the demands. Britain had made the mistake at home and they did the same in India to initially. They realised their mistake; and how they introduced scientific forestry in India is given in the ensuing pages.

The British ruled the country for over three centuries. Within the administrative framework, the Collector was the pivot, whose jurisdiction spread over a vast stretch of the colony with multi-pronged activities. Forest administration was one of the many facets of administration of a Collector. In 1827 there was a report by Dr. Wallich which underlined the need for forest administration and laid the foundation for forest conservancy in principle. Subsequently, it was Dr. Gibson and Dr. Cleghorn who stressed the need for a separate department for forest administration in the Southern region and achieved their cherished objectives. By their unstinted efforts, the Department of Forest for Bombay and Madras Presidencies were established and Dr. Gibson and Dr. H.F. C. Cleghorn were the first Conservators of Forests. Both were Surgeons by qualification and profession. But both were interested in Botany which led them to study the rich flora in the forests of South India. A detailed account of how both championed the cause of forestry, how Dr. H.F.C.Cleghorn viewed the issue of Forest Conservation at an all India level, and worked towards that goal, is presented in the following narrative.

Chapter 1

Cleghorn’s early years in Scotland and Madras Presidency

Dr. H.F.C. Cleghorn was born in Madras (Chennai) on 9th August 1820. His father Peter Cleghorn was a Barrister in Madras. Peter completed his early education at St Andrews University in 1798 and then went to Glasgow University. He went on to Oxford on merit, and was called to the London Inn in 1810. He came to Madras and was issued a covenant by the East India Company on 27-3-1816 to practice as a Barrister.¹ Peter Cleghorn’s wife was Isabella. They had two sons Hugh F.C. Cleghorn and Allan Mackenzie. They also had two daughters, Isabella and Rachel Jane, the latter who married Alexander Sport. Peter was a popular barrister for many business houses. He did business with William Scott Binny, of Binny & Co, to sell government promissory notes. Later, Peter Cleghorn also became the Registrar and Administrator at the Supreme Court at Madras.² Hugh F. C. Cleghorn was sent to Scotland when he was five-years-old along with his four-year-old brother Allen, to live with their grandfather and aunts at Wakefield. During the voyage, their Ayah Fatima looked after them. Further, Cleghorn’s family friend Susan Low was also on the same ship.³ Susan Low was from the family of Sir John Low of Clatto which is about two km from St Andrews. The two families were very close to each other and had many members who were working in India. Sir John Low, towards the end of his service, was the Military member of the Supreme Council. He and Hugh Cleghorn were friends. All letters of Low and the other family members have been published as a book by Ursula Low titled ‘Fifty years with John & Co’. This collection of letters and the Cleghorn Papers throws much light on their lives in India, and also about their views on various subjects.

Hugh Cleghorn Sr, the grandfather, who was facing problems in managing his estate at Saint Andrews, was very happy to have his two grandsons with him. He devoted all his time on planning their studies. To begin with, a tutor by the name of Cruikshank was engaged to teach Greek and Latin to them, as well as a few other members of the family.⁴ Grandfather was keen that the boys should have a firm foundation in these languages for further studies. After much discussion with Peter, he put both the children in the High School at Edinburgh, where they stayed with their aunt. While at school, there was a regular flow of letters between the boys and their father. Grandfather Hugh Cleghorn had a constant watch over the boys and advised them in their career building. Grandfather regularly informed Peter Cleghorn, who was then at Madras, through letters, about the progress that the boys were making in studies. The boys were encouraged to reach the top levels in studies.

Hugh F. C. Cleghorn used to achieve his goals and blossomed into a bright boy. After two years of schooling in Edinburgh, both were taken out for health reasons and admitted into a school called ‘Madras College’ at Saint Andrews. The Madras College was founded by Dr. Bell who perfected the monitorial system of education at Madras. On Grandfather’s advice, Hugh F. C. Cleghorn learnt French and German, which helped him while at Madras to read forestry books which were mostly in these languages. Hugh F.C. Cleghorn, the grandson, used to explore the extensive grounds which had a woodland with a stream and pond where he could spot roe deer and ducks. It was here that he developed an interest in the natural forestry setting, collecting plants and discovering their local names and uses, if any. During the summer holidays, Grandfather used to arrange for hiking, fishing, and other outdoor sports for the boys, and they enjoyed it.

After schooling, he joined St Andrews University in 1833, when he was 13-years-old, and studied Arts.⁵ At that time, Botany as a subject was not available for study. It was associated with medicine, and many used to take medical courses for enhancing their botanical knowledge.⁶ As a college student Hugh had written an essay of 20 pages on the subject ‘The study of mind and the causes which have given an erroneous direction to it’. This essay has been preserved in the college. At the age of 17, he joined the Medical College in Edinburgh and obtained his medical degree. While at Edinburgh, he attended the Botany classes at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh ⁷. Having been brought up in sylvan surroundings, he developed a love for forests, and botany was a subject he was passionate about in his medical course. Medicines then, were mostly obtained from plants, and the medical course in Edinburgh laid stress on the fact that Nature played an important role in health. He was house surgeon for two years, under the distinguished surgeon Professor J. Syme in the Royal Infirmary at Edinburgh.

In 1841 he took his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) and obtained appointment in the Military Medical Service of East India Company (EIC) as Assistant Surgeon and sailed to Madras in 1842. In those days a sailing ship took three months to make the arduous journey, around the Cape Good Hope, since the Suez Canal was opened only later, in 1852. He landed in Madras in December 1842 - he was back in Madras where he had been born! He was posted in the General Hospital, which was then developing as a medical school under the military administration.

Due to the financial problems that Hugh Cleghorn Sr had been facing from 1824 onwards, he suggested to Peter that he should invest in Stravithie,