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Jharkhand forests at a glance

 
 
 

The state of Jharkhand has a unique relation with forests since ancient times. The word ‘Jharkhand’ connotes area of land covered with forests. Therefore, literally as well as symbolically, Jharkhand is associated with forests. The ideas of forest and biodiversity conservation are ingrained in the ethos of the state.

Nature wears her best clothes in this state. The state is endowed with abundant mineral wealth, flora and fauna. Rivers like Damodar, Brahmani, Kharkai, Subarnarekha and so many other rivers are flowing gently adding to the natural charm of Jharkhand. Jharkhand has proudly emerged culturally as an important multi ethnic state. Over thirty two indigenous communities exist harmoniously in Jharkhand such as Santhal, Munda, Oraon, Ho, Paharia, Chero, Birjea, Asura etc. These communities have several colourful nature friendly festivals like Sarhul, Karma etc. in which tribals worships and protect trees.

Of the total recorded forest area, Reserved Forest constitute 18.58%, Protected Forests 81.28% and Unclassed Forests 0.14 %

Forest Cover

According to India’s State of Forests Report, 2023, the total Forest Cover of the state is 23,765.78 km2 which is nearly 29.81% of the geographical area of the state.

Forest Cover of Jharkhand
Class Area (km2) % of GA
Very Dense Forest 2,635.35 3.31
Mod. Dense Forest 9,640.99 12.09
Open Forest 11,489.44 14.41
Total 23,765.78 29.81
Scrub 558.32 0.70

Source : ISFR - 2023 by FSI

General Information

1 Geographical Area 79,716 km2.
2 Forest Area 23,765.78 km2.
3 Percentage forest cover of the state 29.81%
4 Population (as per Census 2011) 32.99 million
5 Average density of population 414 Persons per km2.
6 No. of Districts 24

Forest Area

Reserve Forest Notified 4391.0751 km2.
Protected Forest Notified 18842.6357 km2.
Unclassified Forest Notified 398.9314 km2.
Recorded Forest Area Notified 23632.6422 km2.

District wise Forest Cover in Jharkhand (in km2)
District Calculated Area by SoI 2023 Assessment % of Calculated Area by SoI Change wrt 2021 Raster based* Scrub
Very Dense Forest Mod. Dense Forest Open Forest Total
Bokaro 2,883 59.04 231.40 281.97 572.41 19.85 2.33 29.09
Chatra 3,718 254.32 838.17 706.90 1,799.39 48.40 -15.23 34.45
Deoghar 2,477 0.03 13.18 192.45 205.66 8.30 0.38 13.94
Dhanbad 2,040 0.00 43.62 177.58 221.20 10.84 2.19 14.13
Dumka 3,761 0.02 252.54 336.28 588.84 15.66 11.34 31.00
East Singhbhum 3,562 53.52 587.20 428.26 1,068.98 30.01 -3.43 22.79
Garhwa 4,093 129.75 419.54 906.31 1,455.60 35.56 22.93 41.54
Giridih 4,962 77.20 333.39 489.61 900.20 18.14 0.77 31.07
Godda 2,266 13.52 275.09 141.87 430.48 19.00 1.62 12.65
Gumla 5,360 308.47 587.15 559.79 1,455.41 27.15 5.50 7.75
Hazaribagh 3,555 233.20 467.06 941.28 1,641.54 46.18 4.33 21.62
Jamtara 1,811 0.00 20.28 87.21 107.49 5.94 1.09 4.00
Khunti 2,535 77.18 358.61 515.92 951.71 37.54 0.92 4.05
Kodarma 2,540 76.98 359.87 258.89 695.74 27.39 -1.79 7.83
Latehar 4,291 485.14 1,291.23 606.49 2,382.00 55.54 -2.37 7.39
Lohardaga 1,502 170.65 219.34 113.18 503.10 33.50 0.82 5.44
Pakur 1,811 2.83 168.77 114.53 286.13 15.80 1.08 21.87
Palamu 4,393 68.02 544.14 605.76 1,217.92 27.72 6.31 82.92
Ramgarh 1,341 31.18 113.29 197.09 341.56 25.47 1.10 15.20
Ranchi 5,097 63.57 349.76 727.13 1,140.62 22.38 4.58 21.52
Sahibganj 2,063 18.12 264.23 311.90 592.45 28.72 0.08 57.16
Saraikela Kharsawan 2,657 22.47 213.75 345.82 582.04 21.91 3.09 18.09
Simdega 3,774 22.37 342.69 881.45 1,246.51 33.03 -3.51 17.57
West Singhbhum 7,224 467.43 1,348.49 1,561.77 3,377.69 46.76 14.66 34.34
Grand Total 79,716 2,635.35 9,640.99 11,489.44 23,765.78 29.81 58.81 558.32
* Area figure calculated without normalization factor.
Forest Type Map of Jharkhand
Forest Type Map of Jharkhand

As per the Champion & Seth classification of the Forest Types (1968), the forests in Jharkhand belong to two Forest Type Groups which are further divided into eight Forest Types.

1. Moist Peninsular Low Level Sal
2. Moist Peninsular Valley Sal
3. Dry Deciduous Scrub
4. Boswellia Forest
5. Butea Forest
6. Dry Bamboo Brake
7. Dry Peninsular Sal Forest
8. Northern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest

 

STATE OF FOREST REPORT 2023 (ISFR Jharkhand)

Article 48 A of the Constitution of India states:

“48A. The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wild life of the country.”

In this spirit, the Department of Forests, Environment and Climate Change, Government of Jharkhand strives to conserve the forests, wildlife and biodiversity of Jharkhand, through the diligent implementation of the relevant Acts, rules, guidelines and schemes, thereby ensuring the environmental security of the present and future generations of the state.