Hazaribagh Wild Life Sanctuary Situated 93 kms from Ranchi a reputed and ever popular health resort in the hills. 2019 feet above sea level, excellent climate, scenic beauty, dense forest areas and rich flora and fauna. 'Sal' is the dominant tree species. Wild bear, sambhar, nilghai, chital and kakar are populous. Sloth bears, tiger and panthers also prowl. The ten observation towers in the sanctuary makes it all the more easier to have a closer encounter with wild life. How to reach: Air : The nearest airport Ranchi, 91 kms away is connected with Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow and Delhi by Indian Airlines flights. Rail : Koderma is the nearest railway station 59 kms away and Hazaribagh Road Railway station 67 kms away from the National Park. These stations are on the Delhi-Howrah route. Road : Hazaribagh town is well connected to Ranchi, Dhanbad, Gaya, Patna, Kolkata and many other places. Betla National Park (Site for the first tiger census in the world) One of India's earliest tiger reserves(1974), Betla features luxuriant tropical forest cover and rich variety of fauna. Betla National Park was first established as a sanctuary and later upgraded to its present status. Average elevation is about 1000 feet and though the park is open throughout the year but the best time to visit is between November to April. Spread over 250 sq. kms, the park is covered with good roads cris- scrossing each other,to enable motorist to have a closer view of the wild life in the dense forest. Gaur, Chital, Elephants, Tiger, Panther, Sloth and Wild Bear, Sambhar, Nilgai, Kakar, Mouse Deer are permanent residents. Langurs are present in large families. Betla features waterfalls and natural hot springs on one hand, and historical monuments of a 16th century fort of Chero kings on the other.The Koel and Burha rivers drain the area and empty into the well known Sone river. How to reach: Air : The nearest airport Ranchi, 140 kms, is connected with Kolkata, Patna, Mumbai, Delhi . Rail : Nearest Railway station is Daltanganj almost 25 kms from Ranchi. Road : Easily accessible by road.It is 25 kms from Daltanganj and 140 kms from Ranchi. Dalma Wild Life Sanctuary Only 20 kms from Jamshedpur is the home for a great number of elephants. Thick forest cover most of this 195 sq. kms. Stretch. Sanctuary for wild elephants, barking deer, sloth bear, leopard, tiger, procupine are also found here.At the water holes elephants are also seen busy playing among themselves.A fascinating sight indeed. The sanctuary also provides excellent trekking facilities along nature-trails in the hill slopes. How to reach: Rail : Tatanagar Railway station is located on Howrah-Mumbai line. Road : Just 20 kms from Jamshedpur Dalma is easily accessible.Jamshedpur is well connected by roads with all important places of Jharkhand and Kolkata.The state capital Ranchi is 135 kms away, having a regular air service Saranda - The Sal Forest Situated in West Singhbhum almost 140 kms from Jharkhand is an unspoilt world, where nature rules supreme and is the home of the endangered Flying lizard. It is famous for its majestic Sal trees. Right from the mammals to birds and reptiles Saranda is a golden treasure of wild life. However its majestic elephants are known all over the world. How to reach: One can reach in the lap of Saranda forests via Jamshedpur or via Ranchi. Jamshedpur is well connected with trains from Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Puri. Ranchi has airlines connection too. From Jamshedpur or Ranchi one has to come to Chaibasa which is 140 kms from Ranchi & 60 kms from Jamshedpur. From Chaibasa one should come to Jhinkpani, Hatgamaria, Badajamda & then to Baraibura - total drive of nearly 80 kms. At Baraibura the first forest check naka (point) of Saranda greets you. From here one has to go to Kiriburu 30 kms. Lawalong Wild Life Sanctuary Located in the south-west part of Chatra district,Lawalong sanctuary has a rich wildlife,including tiger and bison.Different spices of birds and serpents are also found here.On the way to Daltonganj from Ranchi,a tourist can take a turn for this sanctuary at Chandwa and drive down the 75 Kms stretch. A variety of wildlife including Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Nilgai are available in this sanctuary. Mahuadanr Wild Life Sanctuary Close to Palamu Tiger reserve is Mahuadanr Sanctuary,spread over 63.25 sq. kms. Is the picturesque forest teeming with Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Bear and Wolves. How to reach: Regular bus service are available from Deltonganj,80 kms away.Railway station are Chipadohar(60 kms) and Deltonganj. Udwa Bird Sanctuary About 40 kms away from Sahebganj,Udhawa Bird Sanctuary includes two natural lakes,Patoura and Bareil.A large number of birds of different species inhabit here.During winter migratory birds of exotic vatieties visit this sanctuary making it attractive to tourist. Crocodile Breeding Centre-Muta The crocodile breeding centre at Muta(Ormanjhi Block,Ranchi District) was commissioned in the year 1987 under IUCN programme of conservation of endangered species.It is 35 kms from Ranchi on Ormanjhi-Sikidiri Road.Marsh crocodile was first spotted in late 1960s in Bhera river which flows close by.for breeding of crocodile a centre was started with 5 crocodiles,two from Bhera river and three from Madras crocodile bank.Now the population has swelled to 42.Successful breeding of crocodile was achieved in the year 1991-92.Tourism is not a priority area for this breeding centre. However, a small forest rest house and rest shed cater to the needs of the visitors who go from Ranchi by private vehicles. Koderama Sanctuary Just about 10 kms away from Koderma town this sanctuary in the Bihar border has a rich reserve of flora and fauna.Even wild boars and porcupines are found in large number here. Topchanchi Sanctuary Just 25 kms away from Dhanbad town,Topchanchi santuary attracts tourists.Famous Topchanchi lake adding to its beauti,this sanctuary harbours wildlife that is supplemented by migratory birds visiting the lake during winter months. Type of Forests The forests of Jharkhand can be classified into two types: 1. Tropical zone wet forests and 2. Tropical zone dry forests. Tropical Zone Wet Forests: This type of forest develops in areas having more than 1200mm of rainfall. These types of forests are mainly found in Ranchi. Lohardaga. Simdega, Saraikela. East and West Singhbhum, Dhanbad and Santhal Paragana districts. Sal is the most common tree found in such forests. Sal is called the "King of the Deciduous Forests". Other trees found in this zone are Sagwan, Gamhar, Karanj, Shisham, Kusum, Khair, Jamun, Jackfruit and Mango. Tropical Zone Dry Forests: This type of forest develops in those areas where the rainfall is less than 1200 mm. Expanse of this type of forests is seen in three areas of the North region. 1. Northern Garhwa, Palamau, Latehar and Chatra districts. 2. Northern Hazaribagh, Giridih. Koderma and Deoghar districts. 3. Western slope area of the Rajmahal hills. Sal is the most important tree of this forest. Besides Sal, Bamboo, Mahua, Khair, Palas, Aasan, Amaltas, Aabnoos etc. trees are found. Forest Wealth The produce obtained from forests has been included in forest wealth. The substances obtained from forests of Jharkhand can be classified into two parts. They are main forest produce and minor produce.Main forest produce includes the wood obtained iti the Jharkhand forests. Sal, Shisham, Sagwan, Mahua, Pesar, Mango tree, Jackfruit tree, Aasan, Gambhar, Jamun, Harhe, Baheda etc. are prominent among them.Minor Forest Produce includes Lac, Kendu leaves, Bamboo, Sal leaves, Katha, medicinal plants, various types of grass, Gum etc. found in the Jharkhand forests.Mahua is an integral part of the forests of Jharkhand. It is tound in the whole of Jharkhand. Its flowers, fruit as well as wood are useful. Its fruit is used in production of oil and flowers are used in making of liquor.Sal (Sakhua) is the most important tree. Its wood is very hard and heavy. It is used in the construction of houses, floors, furniture, railway sleepers etc. Its wood is brown in colour. Shisham and Sagwan are expensive and sustainable wood. It is used in the making furniture, train coaches, railway sleepers, bridges etc.The wood of Semal tree is very soft. It is used as packing material in cartons, soft toys, matchboxes etc. Cotton obtained from the Semal It cc is very useful.The wood of the Jamun tree does not rot despite being in contact with water for thousands of years. It is used to lay the base of a well.Harhe and Behara are used in medicines. A famous medicine, " Triphal churna" contains Harhe, Behada and Awla. India is the largest producer of lac. Jharkhand alone produces 50 % of the total production of lac in India. Kendu leaves are an important forest produce and is a major source of revenue. Kendu leaves are used in making -'bidis' and'tobacco'. It is mainly found in Palamau Division. The jungles of Palamau Division are full of Khair trees. The wood of the Khair tree is boiled and its juice is used in the production of "Katha". It is also a great source of revenue. Bamboo has its own importance as Adivasis and other scheduled tribes make farming and household goods from bamboo and sell it straight in the market. It is the main source of their livelihood. Distric Wise Position of Forests in Jharkhand SL No. District Land Under forests (% of Forest Land) 1. Chatra 50 . 78 2. Palamau + Latehar 44.59 3. Kodanna 42.93 4. West Singhbhum + Saraikela 37.62 5. Lohardaga 37.36 6. Hazaribagh 36.05 7. Garhwas 33.60 8. Sahebganj 30.04 9. Bokaro 29.76 10. Gumla + Simdega 27.39 11. East Singhbhurn 25.05 12. Ranchi 22.50 13. Pakud 18.71 14. Godda 18.48 15. Giridih 15.78 16. Dumka + Jamtara 7.86 17. Dhanbad 5.81 18. Deoghar 3.55 Wildlife Sancturies 1. Betla National Park: Establishment 1986 Area 231.67 sq. km District Latehar Wild Animals Tiger, Elephant, Sambhar Deer etc. The Indian Government is executing "Project Tiger" here. 2. Hazaribagh Sanctuary : Establishment 1976 Area 186.25 sq. km District Hazaribagh Wild Animals Leopard , Deer , Sambhar Deer etc. 3. Palamu Sanctuary Establishment 1976 Area 794.33 sq. km District Latehar Wild Animals Elephant , Tiger , Sambhar Deer etc. 4.Madhudanr Wolf Sanctuary Establishment 1976 Area 63.25 sq. km District Latehar Wild Animals Wolf , Deer , Wild Boars etc. 5.Dalma Sanctuary Establishment 1976 Area 193.22 sq. km District East Singhbhum Wild Animals Elephant , Leopard , Deer etc. Project elephant is being executed here. 6.Topichanchi Sanctuary Establishment 1978 Area 8.75 sq. km District Dhanbad Wild Animals Leopard , Wild Boars etc. A beautiful lake called “Hari Prasad” has builtin the middle of the sanctuary. 7. Lawalaung Sanctuary: Establishment : 1978 Area : 207 sq. km District : Chatra Wild Animals :Tiger, Leopard, Neelgai, Deer, Sambhar Deer etc. 8. Koderma Sanctuary: Foundation Year 1985 Area 177.95 sq. km District : Koderma Wild Animals Leopard. Sambar Deer, Deer etc 9. Parasnath Sanctuary: Foundation Year 1981 Area 43.33 sq. km District : Giridih Wild Animals Leopard. Sambar Deer, Neelgai , etc. 10. Palkot Sanctuary Foundation Year 1990 Area 183.18 sq. km District : Gumla Wild Animals Leopard , Wild Bores etc. 11.Gautam Buddha Sanctuary Foundation Year 1971 Area 100 sq. km District : Korerma 12. Udhwa Lake Bird Vihar : Foundation Year 1971 District Sahebganj Wild animals Water crow , Bankar, King Fisher , Khanjan etc. Migratory birds can be observed here in winter. Zoo 1. Birsa Bhagwan Zoological Park: Location Ormanjhi (Ranchi) It is located on the NH-33 National Highway. 2. Crocodile Production Centre: Location : Rukka (Ranchi) 3. Birsa Mrig Vihar: Location : Kalamati (Ranchi) Important Sanctuaries And National Parks of Jharkhand S1. Name of the WLS / MP Establishment District Legal No. Year Status 1. Betla National Park 1986 Latehar NP 2. Hazaribagh Sanctuary 1976 Hlazaribagh S 3. Palamu Sanctuary 1976 Latehar S 4. Muhuadanr Wolf Sanctuary 1976 Latehar S 5. Dalma Sanctuary 1976 East Singhbhum S 6. Topchanchi Sanctuary 1978 Dhanbad S 7. Lawalaung 1978 Chatra S 8. Koderma Sanctuary 1985 Koderma S 9. Parasnath Sanctuary 1981 Giridih S 10. Palkot Sanctuary 1990 Gumla S 11. Udhwa Lake Bird Vihar 1991 Sahebganj S 12. Gautam Buddha Sanctuary 1971 Koderma S Memborable Facts • Betla National Park is the only recognized National Park of the state. • The first census in the world of Tigers was completed at Betla National Park in 1932. • A beautiful lake, "Hari Pahadi" is situated in the middle of the Topchanchi Sanctuary. • Project elephant was started in the Dalma Wild Life Sanctuary. • The first "Gaj Arakshya" (Wildlife Sanctuary) was so notified by the Central Government in the Singhbhum district on 26th Sept., 2001. • Rajmahal Fossil sancturary is situated in Sahebganj District. • Nakshtra Van and Sidhu Kanhu Park are situated at Ranchi. • Jharkhand State Forest Development Corporation has been constituted on 23.03.2002 for development and conservation of NTFP. • Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board has been constituted on 09.04.2001. • State Medicinal plant Board has been constituted on 17.02.2003. |