Wildlife in Jharkhand – An Overview
Dr.Ajay Kumar,
Veterinary Officer, Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ormanjhi, Ranchi, Jharkhand
Jharkhand , the land of forests widely known for the dense evergreen forest and Fauna which dwells in the mystical land. The tradition of co-existing with the wildlife without causing any damage to their natural habitat is the paramount characteristic of the people of Jharkhand. The State with geographical area of 79,714 Sq. Km. constitutes 02.42 % of the Country’s area. Total recorded forest area of the state is 23,605 Sq. Km. which is 26.61% of geographical area of state. Out of the total recorded forest area 23,605 Sq. Km, Reserve Forests constitute 18.58% (4,385.80Sq.Km.),Protected Forests 81.28% (19,186.15Sq. Km) and Un classed forests 0.14% (33.05 Sq. Km).
During winter and spring season one can see herds of Elephant which is also the state animal of Jharkhand, and the abundance of Deer & Antelopes make it a great habitat for the predators such as Leopards & Panthers, the biggest among the big cats the Royal Bengal Tigers also love these terrains and the dense Sal (Shorea Robusta) and Bamboo forests. Other mammalian including the Sloth Bear, Pangolins, Hyena, Indian wild dog (Dhole), Fox, Jackals, Jungle Cat, the common Palm civet cat, Honey badger (Ratel), etc. inhabits these forests. Rodents such as Wild rabbits, Porcupines, Squirrels etc. are very common. These forests make a great home for the snakes & reptiles’ population includes the Monitor Lizards, Chameleons, Crocodiles etc. The avifauna is a treat for the eyes as there are a wide variety of birds including Storks, Vultures, Parakeets and other migratory birds.
There are total of 12 forest reserves in Jharkhand, one National Park and eleven Wildlife Sanctuaries namely 1.Betla National Park, 2.Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary 3.Gautam Budha Wildlife Sanctuary (JH), 4.Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, 5. Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary 6. Lawalong (Chatra) Wildlife Sanctuary, 7. Mahuadanr (Wolf) Wildlife Sanctuary, 8. Palamu Wildlife Sanctuary, 9. Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary, 10. Parasnath Wildlife Sanctuary, 11. Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary, 12. Udhwa lake Wildlife Bird Sanctuary.
National Park & Sanctuaries of Jharkhand:
| S.N. | Name | Date of Notification | Area
(Sq. Km) |
Major wildlife found. |
| 1. | Betla National Park | 10.09.1986 | 213.67 | Elephants, Sloth Bear, Leopard, Tiger, Wolf, Jackal, Hyena, Gaur, Spotted Deer, Langur, Rhesus Monkey, Mouse Deer, Civet Cat, Sambar Chausingha, Nilgai, Porcupine, Pangolin, Mongoose, Giant Squirrel etc. |
| 2. | Palamu wildlife
Sanctuary |
17.07.1976 | 794.33 | Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, Cheetal Barking Deer, Sloth Bear, Nilgai, Wild Dog, Wolf, Hyena etc. |
| 3. | Hazaribagh wildlife Sanctuary | 24.05.1976 | 186.25 | Leopard ,Spotted Deer, Hyena, Wild Boar, Sloth Bear, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Pangolin, Rhesus Monkey, Mongoose, Jackal, Fox etc. |
| 4. | Mahuadanr wildlife Sanctuary | 23.06.1976 | 63.25 | Wolf, Spotted Deer, Jackal, Fox, Honey Badger, Wild Boar etc. |
| 5. | Dalma wildlife
Sanctuary |
23.06.1976 | 193.22 | Elephant, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Hyena, Mouse Deer etc. |
| 6 | Topchanchi wildlife Sanctuary | 03.05.1978 | 8.75 | Leopard, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Hare, Jungle cat, Spotted Deer, Porcupine, Jackal, Fox, Hyena, Langur etc. |
| 7. | Lawalong wildlife Sanctuary | 07.08.1978 | 207.00 | Leopard, Wild Boar, Langur, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Nilgai, Spotted Deer, Rhesus Monkey, Hyena, Barking Deer, Mongoose, Porcupine etc |
| 8. | Koderama wildlife sanctuary | 25.01.1985 | 177.95 | Sloth Bear, Sambar, Leopard, Jackal, Fox Hyena, Nilgai, Barking Deer etc. |
| 9. | Parasnath wildlife
Sanctuary |
02.08.1981 | 49.33 | Leopard, Sloth Bear, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Hyena, Porcupine, Nilgai, Sambar etc. |
| 10. | Gautam Budha (JH) wildlife Sanctuary | 1971 | 100.00 | Sambar, Leopard, Spotted Deer, Nilgai, Elephant, Giant Squirrel etc. |
| 11. | Palkot wildlife
Sanctuary |
22.08.1990 | 183.18 | Sloth Bear, Leopard, Barking Deer, Nilgai, Langur etc. |
| 12. | Udhwa lake and Bird Sanctuary | 1991 | 5.65 | Different type of Indigenous & Migratory Birds. |
Zoos in Jharkhand
| Name of Zoo | Total No.Of Species* | No. of individuals | No of
Endangered Species* |
No. of Individuals |
| Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ormanjhi, Ranchi
A Government Zoo |
83 | >1400 | 33 | 304 |
| Tata Steel Zoological Park, Jamshedpur.
A Private Zoo |
49 | 423 | 12 | 102 |
| Jawahar Lal Nehru Zoological Park, Bokaro.
Managed by SAIL |
30 | 239 | 10 | 91 |
| Birsa Mrig Vihar, Kalamati, Ranchi.
A Government Zoo |
2 | 175 | – | – |
*Species includes Avian, Mammal & Reptiles
Wildlife and Common Diseases:-
A wild animal, as defined by the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health) is “ an animal that has a phenotype unaffected by human selection and lives independent of direct human supervision or control”. Wildlife includes Free Ranging (In-Situ) wild animals, (Ex-Situ) Captive wild animals and Feral animals (An animal of a domesticated species that lives without direct human supervision or control).
The research publications and articles of eminent scientists of wildlife field indicate that almost all Bacterial, Viral, Fungal, Protozoan & Rickettsial diseases are prevalent in wild animals. Apart from these, nutritional deficiency and metabolic diseases do occurs in wild animals. Wildlife diseases may have a serious impact on livestock health and public health and can adversely affect wildlife conservation & One Health because animal health and human health are interdependent and bound to the health of Ecosystem. Over 60% of pathogens that cause human diseases come either from domestic animals or wildlife.
Wildlife disease surveillance, monitoring, prevention and control are crucial factors for safeguarding Biodiversity and Public & animal health.
