Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary located 10 km from the city of Jamshedpur in the state of Jharkhand. Inaugurated in 1975 it contains significant population of Indian Elephants. Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is situated around the Dalma Hills. Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is a much larger area starting from Chandil to 40 km east. The sanctuary covers around 195 km2It is about 100 km from the capital city Ranchi, and 15 km from the steel city Jamshedpur. The wildlife sanctuary runs parallel to the NH-18 with hills as high as 915 m from sea level. Dalma Sanctuary is spread over 193 km2 of forests of East Singhbhum and Saraikela-kharsawan districts of the state of Jharkhand. The forests of Dalma come under the category "Dry peninsular Sal" and "Northern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest". Most part of Dalma forests shed leaves in the summer and attains its full bloom at the onset of monsoon

Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary' is named after the 'Dalma Mai' a local goddess, who is very popular among local people. It is situated around 'Dalma hills' of East Singhbhum District. Dalma hill top with Mandir and cave has religious significance for local people. At Dalma hill top a festival is organized in the month of 'Asarh' every year in which a large number of local people gather to pay homage to Goddess 'Dalma Mai' supposed to be a tribal girl who entered inside the cave to meet sacred pilgrims and never returned from the cave. The descendants of Dalma Mai's family from village Bonta especially come to worship at the site.

Geography:

Singhbhum region has remarkably unique geological history. From Beharagora in the South East up to East of Jamshedpur a major thrust zone is present which further enters in to Saraikela-kharsawan district. The shear zone separates a northern terrain of highly metamorphosed rocks and southern terrain of relatively less metamorphosed rocks. Sarkar and Saha (1977) have shown that this shear zone separates two Precambrian provinces of the Indian shield: an older province in the south, which stabilized after the Iron ore orogenic cycle closing about 2900 million years ago and younger province in the north that underwent the Singhbhoom orogenic cycle closing at about 850 million years ago.

Climate:

The character and extent of vegetation of a locality are chiefly determined by the climatic conditions experienced in that locality. Altitude also has a more pronounced effect on vegetation. However, this influence is the net result of the notable variations in the climatic factors experienced at lower levels and higher altitudes. Temperature, humidity, precipitation, number of rainy days, sunshine, winds, cloudiness, topographical features and their variations with time and season characterize the climatic conditions. Generally, the climate in this area is moderately hot and humid. The tract has usually three tropical seasons, namely:-

• Summer season:- In present context, the summer starts from the mid of February. and it ends in the middle of June. The temperature in this season rises to its maximum and reaches up to 46°C (115°F), and days become very hot in this season. Humidity is very low during this season. If the rain comes in between the months, it gives some relief in the temperature.
• The Rainy Season :- Generally starts from end of the June to the September. World famous monsoon usually arrives in this tract at the end of June. This season is very good for the crops and beneficial for the farmers because the farmers of the entire region are fully depends on agriculture. The famous shower locally called “Hathia” occurs during October. The humidity remains very high during this season.
• The Winter Season:- Winter season generally starts from the beginning of October till the last of February month. In winter, the nights are generally longer than the days. The nights are really very cold during this season because of the heavy dewfall, the temperature fall up to 5°C (41°F) during nights. The days are pretty warmer than the nights and temperature rises up to 35.5°C (96°F) in the sunshine. However, this temperature does not last longer because of the shorter period of the day, the night overcomes and the temperature drops to its end. In the month of December to January the fogs are generally seen in the entire region especially in the middle of the Forest

Temperature:

The maximum day temperature of the tract reaches up to 48°C and sometime become more also. In summer, temperature generally varies between 42 °C to 46°C in the area. The average of day-night differs by 10° C. There is also a temperature difference between the foothill and plain area, varies between 5°C to 10°C. Due to large variations of temperature in different part of sanctuary, there are also variations in flora and fauna observed. Due to scarcity of water, grasses dry up which affects the total animal food requirements of herbivores. Distinct seasons are as follows - Summer — Mid-March to mid-June. Rainy Season — Mid June to September Winter — October to mid-March

Rainfall pattern and distribution:

The tract, being in Singhbhum region, on the chhotanagpur plateau & enjoys rains of South‐west monsoon (from June to mid‐August). The average annual rainfall is 1200-1400 mm. The tract also receives a few but good pre‐monsoon showers, preceded by thunderstorms, during April‐May. These early showers are of much significance as it marks the commencement of the growing season and encourages the germination of seeds.

Tourist Attraction:

'Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary':- It is situated along the NH-33 on northern flank. The famous Iron city Jamshedpur is situated only 25 km away from the sanctuary main entry point. The Sanctuary is well connected by roads and railways network. It is situated just 120 km away from Ranchi and 270 km Kolkata. National Highway No. 32 & 33 touches the western and southern boundaries of the sanctuary. The nearest railway station is Tatanagar, which is 33 km from Makulakocha forest naka the main entry point of the sanctuary. The nearest airport is Sonari airport at Jamshedpur, which is 28 km from the main entry point of the sanctuary, which is at present not operational for commercial purpose. However, the operational air traffic available at Ranchi Airport situated 120 km away from the sanctuary.

How to reach

'Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary' is situated along the NH-33 on northern flank. The famous Iron city Jamshedpur is situated only 25 km away from the sanctuary main entry point. The Sanctuary is well connected by roads and railways network. It is situated just 120 km away from Ranchi and 270 km Kolkata. National Highway No. 32 & 33 touches the western and southern boundaries of the sanctuary. The nearest railway station is Tatanagar, which is 33 km from Makulakocha forest naka the main entry point of the sanctuary. The nearest airport is Sonari airport at Jamshedpur, which is 28 km from the main entry point of the sanctuary, which is at present not operational for commercial purpose. However, the operational air traffic available at Ranchi Airport situated 120 km away from the sanctuary.

Forest Rest House Details

The sanctuary offers 18 well maintained rooms for staying. One can stay amidst the serene surroundings of nature

• Makulakocha- Eco Hut-

• 3 Ac. Rooms-Charges 1000/-Rupees +100/-Rupees maintenance ( 1100/-Rupees Per Room)
• 6 Non Ac. Rooms Charges 500/- Rupees + 100/-Rupees maintenance ( 600/- Rupees Per Room)
• 1 One Bamboo Hut Charges 1000/-Rupees+ 200/-Rupees maintenance=1200/- Rupees (One Combined room)

• Makulakocha- Old Rest House Premises-

• 4 Non Ac. Rooms Charges 500/- Rupees+ 100/-Rupees maintenance (600/- Per Room)

• Pindrabra-New FRH

• 4 Non Ac. Rooms Charges 700/- Rupees+100/-Rupees maintenance (800/- Per Room)