Saranda Forest

News: Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Government of Jharkhand to notify 31,468.25 hectares of the Saranda Game Sanctuary as Saranda Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Saranda Forest

• Saranda Forest is located in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. 
• The name “Saranda” comes from a local expression meaning “The Land of Seven Hundred Hills,” reflecting its hilly geography.
• Area: The forest covers an area of about 820 square kilometers and has recently been declared a wildlife sanctuary.
• It is inhabited by the Ho, Munda, Oraon and allied Adivasi communities.
• Vegetation: Saranda is dominated by dense sal forests, which form the major vegetation cover.
• River: Karo River flows through the forest.
• Flora: The forest also includes teak, palash, mahua, bamboo, and various other indigenous plant species.
  • The Tholkobad region in the forest is a special habitat for rare orchids, including all 11 known species of the Dendrobium genus and the rare Bulbophyllum crassipes and Pecteilistriflora.
• Fauna: Saranda Forest supports 28 species of mammals, including elephants and leopards.
  • It is home to around 60 different bird species, making it significant for birdwatching.
  • The region contains about 20 reptile species and 8 amphibian species, highlighting its ecological diversity.
  • A total of 63 butterfly species have been recorded in the forest, adding to its biodiversity richness.