For rich biodiversity in India, every visitor must head to Jharkhand. It is the eastern state of India where forests largely contribute towards the economy of the state and form an integral part of the socio-economic set-up. Over an area of 23605 square kilometers, forest in Jharkhand spreads about 29.61% of the total area of the state. Moreover, 82% of the area falls under the protected forests out of the 23605 square kilometers of forests, whereas 17.5% of the land falls under reserve forests. Here is the list of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in Jharkhand, India.
Wildlife Tourism Sites In Jharkhand
1. Betla National Park
Betla National Park is an integral part of Project Tiger that is spread over an area of more than 1300 sq ft. Sal forests, bamboo thickets, teak trees, and other evergreens are constituents of this flora. For elephant sightings in the country, Betla is one of the best places. You might spot a tiger or a leopard if you get really lucky, but these sightings are quite rare. A number of watchtowers give you some fantastic views of the wildlife in the area scattered around the region. Along for a trip here make sure you pack your binoculars and camera. Animals like jackals, civets, mouse deers, porcupines, antelopes, etc, are the home. You might spot red jungle fowls, quails, geese, drongos, forest owls, tells, crested serpent eagle, snipes and partridges amongst others as far as the feathered beings are concerned.
2. Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary
Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is popular among the tourists, but it is more familiar because of its wild resident elephants to the residents. ' Dalma Haathi' or the 'Elephants of Dalma' is very famous for sightseeing and quite a scary term in the Jamshedpur-Purulia region. The Dalma forest is home to a horde of animals, birds and tree species as well established in 1975 and inaugurated by Sanjay Gandhi. Overlooking the shimmering Dalma hills, Subarnarekha River nestles the dense green forests like an offspring. What makes Dalma so special among those who love to travel around jungles, the ambiance of the forest and the odd chance of having a glimpse at the wild animals.
3. Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary
The location of the Gautam Buddha wildlife sanctuary exists between two states of India, Bihar, and Jharkhand. This place was treated as a private hunting reserve Before becoming a famous wildlife refuge and occupies a total area of approximately 259 sq. km. Include ravine thorn forest, dry and moist sal forests plant species, tropical dry riverine forests, etc. Fauna is found here like tigers, wolves, chinkaras, various birds, leopards, etc. Visitors can reach this place via airplane or train and also have a rest house as this sanctuary is 65 km away from Gaya, Bihar.
4. Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary
The name which needs to be mentioned in the top list while talking about sanctuaries of Jharkhand. It is none other than the Hazaribagh wildlife sanctuary. It is situated 55 miles north of Ranchi and was established in the year 1955. This place is located at an approximate height of nearly 2,018 feet with respect to the sea level and is spread over a total area of 184 square km. Including panthers, leopards, sambar, chital, wild dog, black bear, sloth bear, pigeons, hyenas, tigers (only a few), and wild boars (also known as a wild pig), this sanctuary is the home of a wide range of animals. The natural beauty of this place is worth appreciating too besides this.
5. Palamau Tiger Reserve
The Palamau Tiger Reserve is the only one in the state of Jharkhand, India and among one of the nine original tiger reserves in India. A part of the Betla National Park, the reserve forms. As a protected area in 1947 under the Indian Forests Act, the area in Palamu District in Jharkhand was set aside. Earlier, for cattle grazing and camping, the area was used and the area was acutely prone to a forest fire. The area was set up as the Palamau Tiger Reserve in 1974. Under the Indo-Malayan realm, and for its flora and fauna the Palamau Tiger Reserve falls and is distinguished. The tigers, leopards, wolves, wild dogs, and jungle cats are the predators that roam the forest grounds. Sloth bear, four-horned antelope, and mouse dearAmong the herbivores are the duly residents of the area.
6. Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary
In the entire state of Jharkhand, the Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary is the only bird sanctuary. As a stopping point for a large number of migratory birds, this Sanctuary is famous for Birds come here in winters from Europe and Siberia. Over a total area of 5.65 sq km, this entire sanctuary is spread. Include Pratincole, Egret, Wagtail, Plover, Lapwing, Stork, Ibis, Heron, Wader, etc., the main birds in the place. This sanctuary is also home to two lakes namely Berhale and Pataura apart from being a popular birdwatcher's site. Lake Berhale covers 410 hectares and Pataura Lake covers 155 hectares. Birds like Darters, jacanas, cormorants, gulls, and dabchicks are making their home in the region around the lakes.
7. Singhbhum Elephant Reserve
Created in the year 2001 under the Project elephant Singhbhum Elephant Reserve, the first of all the elephant reserves in the country. In East and West Singhbhum, sprawling in an area of 13,440 Sq.km and Saraikela-Kharsawan Districts the reserve is an abode of numerous elephants. Habitats have a viable population of Wild Asiatic Elephants in Jharkhand for scientific and planned management aimed at the conservation of elephants. Migratory routes, mitigating Human-Elephant conflicts in problem areas and ecological restoration of their existing natural habitats and, moderating pressure of humans and their livestock protection from poachers, and on crucial Elephant habitats, etc. Including 600 species of medicinal plants, there is a variety of populations of Flora. Become an ideal habitat for the Elephants to reside, the Dry Deciduous forests of the reserve. You can visit this Elephant Reserve anytime in a year. Every day is a good time to visit.
8. Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary
The Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS) covers an area of 8.75 sq. Km and it is located in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand. Animals like Leopard, Jungle Cat, Cheetal, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Mongoose, Langur, Jackal, Fox, Wild Dog, etc lived here in this Wildlife Sanctuary. The Topchanchi Lake is visited by migratory winter birds such as pochards, red-crested pochards, and coots and it increases the richness of the habitat. With Dry Peninsular Sal in Baneshpur and BawardahaThe forests here are of Dry Mixed Deciduous type. Asan, Bijasal, Dhow, Semal, Kendu, Piar, Karam, Siris, Sidha, etc are the other tree species. The bamboo and grassland crops are also present.
9. Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary
In 1978 to the southwest of Hazaribagh in the Chota Nagpur plateau area, Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary was set up. About 211 sq. km it covers an area. Undulating and dissected by rivers and streams, the terrain is located in the south-west part of Chatra district, including tiger and bisonLaw along sanctuary has rich wildlife. You can also find different spices of birds and serpents. A tourist can take a turn for this sanctuary at Chandwa and drive down the 75 Kms stretch on the way to Daltonganj from Ranchi. Including Tiger, Panther, Hyena, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, a variety of wildlife is available in this sanctuary. Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary is home to Leopard, Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Wolf, Chital, and Sambar deer.
10. Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary
The Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary is another natural wonder of Jharkhand is situated in lush green and delectable Parasnath Hills. It is the highest mountain south of the Himalayas, being the highest peak of the state the Parasnath hill is 4431 ft height. By the District administration of Jharkhand stateParasnath has been declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary. To give up their religious hunt, forest officials are trying to persuade the local tribe. For the Jain arises from the tradition, the special sanctity of Parasnath that twenty third of the Tirthankaras (religious saints who are the object of their worship), like nine of his predecessors, attained nirvana on the hillParsva or Parsvanath. Around the Parasnath Hill that is spread in an area of 49.33 Sq.km, the sanctuary is stretched. With a very high incidence of climbers, the sanctuary is rich in fauna and comprises mixed deciduous forests.
Submitted by Ritu Singh
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