If I were in the government of India in 1962 and responsible for supplying the railways with sleepers and fuel on such a large scale, I would have taken the following steps:

• In areas where trees are fallen to make sleepers, plant similar species of trees so that the forest cover is maintained.
• For running the steam engine, try to increase the coal mining and supply coal to the railways instead of wood.
• Try to limit the forest cutting by villagers for their personal requirements and not allow them to trade in wood.
• Prevent looters to enter the forests to cut trees illegally.
• The excess use of forest products should be prevented.