Utilization & Plantations in Palestine before 1948 (Nakba), British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 430. Chapter XI: Irrigation and Drainage

CHAPTER XI.

Utilization.

18. A separate but still important function of the Department is the protection of trees on private land from premature cutting by the owners. Licences are issued when suitable, the owner pays ~ tax to Government and thereafter is free to cut the trees and sell the timber and firewood. This departmental activity increased during the war in a major degree, and isolated trees, hedgerows and small woodlands provided at some periods the only source of supply for match factories and other industrial undertakings engaged on war work. Utilisation during the severest shortage was extremely close and wastage negligible, while the protection afforded to the felling areas allowed the trees to regenerate most satisfactorily. During the war period nearly a quarter of a million tons of firewood and timber was supplied from Palestine, of which one half went to the Forces and one half to industrial purposes.

Plantations.

19. The Department undertakes the regeneration of forests on such reserves as can be effectively controlled in present circumstances, partly by planting in blank areas and partly by the protection and encouragement of existing vegetation. Details of plantations are given in tables 3 and 4 below. Young forest and garden trees are issued free of charge to the public in considerable numbers, oide table 5.

Table 3.

PROGRESS IN DEPARTMENTAL AFFORESTATION.

Year

I Area of new I

plantations

dunums J acres

£P.

dunums

No. of plants used

Weight of seed aown K.,,

No. of cuttings used

Cost

1939/40 - - - - - -
.
1940/41 3,382 846 850,450 2,829 1,400 2,365'
1941/42 2,303 569 356,550 240 274 2,274'
1942/43 1,081 267 302,350 20 149,000 2,158
1943/44 2,293 567 470,500 638 171,300 3,828
1944/45 1,362 337 140,550 720 I 317.630 2,075
* Part of this afforestation was pa.id for from relief funds.

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