Chapter 6 FORESTS The Forestry-Conservation Office of the Agriculture Division formulates policies and plans for forestry and conservation service, including water, soil, and range conservation, and develops parks and wildlife reserves. The office provides technical leader- ship and guidance to district officials on forestry and conservation matters, develops professional standards for forestry-conservation personnel, and coordinates the functions of these personnel throughout the Territory. The Forestry-Conservation Officer has 2 ine oo drawn up a set of principles and guidelines to govern operations of his office. The forestry-conservation program is directed toward management of the “wildlands” of the Territory. It includes forestry in its usual sense as well as management of the recreation and scenic resources of “wildland” areas. Scarce and non-renewable resources will be managed with objectives of protection and preservation. Renewable natural resources will be managed with objectives of multiple use and sustained yield. Seven species of forest trees have been planted in the demonstration forest plantation at Airai on Babelthuap Island, Palau District. Plans are underway to establish the Airai Watershed and Natural Habitat to preserve existing vegetation in its natural state and to provide the greatest amount of water retention and catchmentfor the Koror domestic water system. Organization of the Nekken Forestry Station on Babelthuap has been 66 completed. Nursery techniques being worked out for promising lo timber species as well as for exot already in Palau. Present emphasis on techniques and species for rehab tation and reforestation of the det« orated grassland/savannas. So promising focal species are Cai phyllum (two local varieties), Campi sperma vrevipetiolata, Gmel. palauensis, Horsfieldia umaklaal, 4 Intsia bijuga. Some exotics with loc ly available seed source are Casuar equisetifolia, Eucalyptus deglupta, « Swietenia macrophylla. The knowledge gained at Nek} will be extended to municipalit homesteaders, and private landown by using the present Nekkenstaff: nucleus for a forest extension p gram. Three Micronesians are atte ing Bulolo Forestry Training Center New Guinea on a 3-year diplo training program. In past years, a limited amount lumbering has been carried out in ar within easy reach of water transpor tion. The most easily accessible tr are harvested first and lumbering in area ceases when the limit of acc ibility is reached. The German ; Japanese administrations did so lumbering on Ponape Island, and Japanese carried out small-sc lumbering operations in Palau. Lo inhabitants have relied for centuries local lumber to provide build. materials for houses, canoes, @ boats. Chapter 7 MINERAL RESOURCES Although Territory mineral sources are limited, the high islan Part Vi—Economic Advanceme