Kolhan

Kolhan Forest Division was created in the year 1924. The division is situated in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand. It mainly spreads over parts of Porahat-Chakradharpur & Chaibasa Sub Divisions and few areas of Noamundi block of Jagannathpur Sub Division. The forest area comprises of 25 Protected Forests (114.06 Sq. Km)& 6 Reserve Forests (586.00 Sq. Km).The total forest area of the division is 700.06Sq. Kms. The division is spread between 220 15’ to 210 45’ 15’’ North latitude and 850 15’ to 850 41’15’’ East longitude.To the North and west, the main line of South-Eastern railway separates the division from Porahat Forest Division. To the east of Kolhan Forest Division, lies Chaibasa Forest Division. On the south-west rivers Karo and Koina forms the boundary between the Kolhan and Saranda Forest Division.

The forest of this division is a portion of the erstwhile Kolhan Estate, which was taken over from the Raja of Porahat, then known as Raja of Singhbhum, in 1836 for management by Government. The first settlement took place in the following year and subsequent settlements took place in the years 1855, 1867 and 1918. The first investigation with the object of reserving the forests in chotanagpur was sponsored by Dr. Aderson, the then Conservator of Forests, Bengal, in 1864. Captain Lo-Sak during the year 1870-71 and Mr. H.H. Davis during 1879-80 examined the forests of Singhbhum.
Following the result of these inquiries the work of selection and demarcation was taken up and carried out chiefly by Messrs, Fuchs, Heining, Manson and W. Johnson, between 1879 and 1884. Selected forests were finally declared reserved on the 1stNovember, 1884.

On completion of demarcation the forests of Singhbhum were attached for administrative control to Hazaribag. In 1884-85, the Chhotanagpur Division was constituted, comprising whole of Singhbhum, Palamau and Kodarma. The Singhbhum sub-division consisted of three ranges, Saranda, Kolhan and Porahat. A separate Singhbhum division was created in 1890 consisting of four ranges Saranda, Kolhan, Porahat and Chaibasa. The Kolhan Protected Forests were constituted into Chaibasa Division in 1906-07. With effect from the 4thMay, 1912 the Saitwa, Santra and Latua blocks were transferred to the Kolhan division. The present Saranda and Kolhan Divisions were created from the 1st April,1924, the latter consisting of Ambia,Leda Santra, Latua and Saitwa blocks, allocated to the three ranges of Kolhan, Santra and Saitwa.

The seven Porahat Division Protected Forest blocks, although situated within the land spread in Kolhan division were under the territorial jurisdiction of the Porahat Division till 1937, when they were transferred to Kolhan. Similarly, the Protected Forest Block Nos.1 to 8, though located within the area of Kolhan Division, were originally under the administrative control of Chaibasa Division. These blocks were transferred to Kolhan division in 1937-38. The Dimbuli ReserveForest, Anandpur Protected Forest Block nos. XIII, XIV and those located in Panta, Raibera and Derwan villages have been transferred from Porahat Division.

Position of Forest area of the Division

Geography and Climate

Configuration of the GroundThe tract is hilly throughout the division and the lookof ‘Santra & Saitwa’ range, especially, is almost mountainous having very steep slopes. In the North-East of Kolhan Division, the valleys falling in the Saitwa range are generally narrow with the hills rising sharply on their flanks but those of the Karo and Deo rivers are generally more open.

Topography The tract issituated on the south eastern fringe of the chotangpur plateau. The height of the land decreases from west to east, hence general land slope of tract is south. Topographically the whole area is hilly, undulating, and highly rugged.

Aspect and SlopeThe Southern and northern side of tract has more plain area than central and northeast part of the tract. The general and discernible aspect is north-southward. The general course of the main rivers and streams is also north-eastward. Nevertheless, owing to the rugged nature of the tract, due to the presence of numerous ridges, hillocks,ravines, abysses, etc running in various directions, the aspect varies from place to place, and all conceivable aspects can be encountered.

AltitudeThe hilly, undulating & highly rugged tract exhibits a wide range of diversity in general configuration. Altitude varies from 750' to 2550' above MSL. The area consists of a series of hills seldom exceeding 1800' high and having fairly consistent north-east to south east strike. The lowest elevation is about 750' at Kamarbera in Kolhan valley and highest being 2550' on Hararango buruin the Saitwa block.
The altitude and aspect of the area have pronounced influence on the climatic factors, which in turn influence the type and composition of the vegetation and its growth. The wind effects will be more apparent at higher altitudes. There are numerous peaks and ridges of different heights and slopes of varying steepness.

Climate

• Summer season –The Summer season starts from the middle of March to about the middle of June. The temperature in this season rises to its maximum and reaches up to 46°C (115°F), the days are very hot in this season. Humidity is very low during this season.
• Rainy season –The Rainy Season generally starts from end of the June and continues till about the September/mid-October. Monsoon usually arrives 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 dependent on agriculture. The humidity remains very high during this season.
• Winter season – The Winter Season generally starts from the middle of October till the last of February month. In winter the nights are generally longer than the days. The nights are really cold during this season. Because of the heavy fall of dew, the temperature falls up to 5°C (41°F) during nights. The days are warmer than the nights and temperature rises to 35.5°C (96°F) in the sunshine. But this temperature does not last longer because of the shorter period of the day. From December to January fog is seen in the entire region

Rainfall The tract, being on the southern fringe of chhotanagpur plateauenjoys rains of South‐west monsoon (from June to mid‐August). The hills as well as the northward aspects receive more rainfall. The tract also receives 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 especially of salwhose mature seeds fall during this period.

Tourist Attractions

• Mahadevsal Temple-It is situated in Goelkera block at 57 kms from Chaibasa town.
• Ambia Waterfall- It is situated in Bangurkiya village of Goelkera block at 105 kms from Chaibasa town.
• Argundi Waterfall- It is situated in Argundi Village of Khuntpani Block at 15 kms from Chaibasa town.
• S-More Waterfall- It is situated in Loharda Village of Khuntpani Block at 19 kms from Chaibasa town.