Why in News?
The Supreme Court has directed Jharkhand to declare 31,468.25 hectares of the Saranda Sal forest as a Wildlife Sanctuary, citing its rich biodiversity and ecological value, while ensuring that tribal rights remain unaffected despite the region’s major iron ore mining presence.
Description:
- Located in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand.
- Lies in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region.
- Close to the Jharkhand–Odisha border.
Name & Meaning- Saranda means “seven hundred hills”.
Forest Type:
- Asia’s largest contiguous Sal (Shorea robusta) forest.
- Classified as Tropical Moist Deciduous Forest.
Area:
- Approx. 856 sq km.
- Mostly Reserved Forest, remaining Protected Forest.
Terrain & Soil:
- Undulating hilly terrain.
- Red loamy, iron-rich soils typical of plateau areas.
- Numerous seasonal and perennial streams.
Biodiversity:
- Fauna: Asian elephant,Sloth bear,Four-horned antelope (Chousingha),Barking deer,Mouse deer,Civets, jungle cats.
- Rich in birds and butterfly diversity.
Wildlife Corridors:
- Contains three major elephant corridors linking forests of Jharkhand and Odisha.
Floral Diversity:
- Dominated by Sal trees.
- Other species: Asan, Jamun, Kusum, Mahua.
Tribal Communities:
- Lies in Fifth Schedule Area.
- Home to:
- Ho (major tribe)
- Munda
- Some PVTG presence in the broader region.
Mineral Significance:
- Part of the Singhbhum–Chaibasa Iron Ore Belt.
- Rich in: Iron ore,Manganese,Minor limestone & quartzite.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
