Wildlife Ranchi

Wildlife Division, Ranchi has been created by Bihar Government, Forest Department order number 700 dated 27.02.1979 This Division has been made permanent by the letter of Forest and Environment Department, Patna, I.V.S.- 34 / 86-1127 W.P., Patna dated 28.02.1986.

After bifurcation on November 15, 2000, Wildlife Division, Ranchi, Government of Jharkhand, is working under Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department. Presently 04 (four) forest areas are functioning under this division, namely-

1. Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary, Gumla,
2. Birsa Mrig Vihar, Kalamati,
3. Crocodile Breeding Centre, Muta and
4. Building Construction Area, Ranchi.

1. Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary, Gumla

Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique ecosystem situated in Gumla and Simdega districts of Jharkhand state. It has an area of 183.18 sq.km. It provides varied habitat conditions for wildlife and is among one of the best potential habitats for bears in the state. However, the forest area is degraded and fragmented due to the villages present within the boundary of the sanctuary. Total geographical area within the boundary of the sanctuary is about 760.948 Sq.Km. out of which forest area is only 183.18 Sq.Km. This figure suggests the degree of fragmentation. The main mega fauna of the area is bear. It also inhabits leopards but perhaps very few in numbers. Wild boars are abundant in number and a few ungulate species are also seen. Presently 153 species of bird has been documented. Previously 124 bird species was reported. In view of the proper habitat condition potential of the area as a good habitat of wildlife and uniqueness of resources, it needs to be managed for enhancing its carrying capacity and for making the degrading habitat more and more suitable for the flagship species of the area and other faunal and floral communities.

Introduction to the area:

The sanctuary area is situated in the districts of Gumla and Simdega between towns of Gumla and Simdega. It is about 25 km. away from Gumla. It was notified as Wildlife Sanctuary in the year of 1990 vide notification no 1174 dated-22-03-1990. The total area of the sanctuary is 18318 hac.

Geology, Rock and Soil

The sanctuary area is full of small hill and undulating land with intermittent plane land in which habitation and agricultural land exist. Some of the hills are barren and covered with hard rocks. There are several caves, cavities and crevices, which form suitable habitat for some wild animals especially sloth bear. The soil in plane land is clay to sandy and sandy loam. The lower lands forming "DON" are quite fertile and very suitable for paddy cultivation.

Terrain

The configurations of the ground vary considerably. Some are plane tracts while some are hilly and mountainous. Some of the hills are rocky and in some cases, the slopes are steep. In between the hills, there are generally extensive farmlands or gently sloping rice-producing fields. Patches of the land are also covered with Sal Forest. Plateau formation locally known as "Pat" is the most striking topographical feature of the track and is found on almost all hills in smaller or larger extent. These "Pat" with forested depressions here and there and with their hamlets and fields form a continuous Plateau of vast dimension.

Climate

There are usually three climatic seasons-The cold weather, the summer and rainy. The cold weather sets in early November and lasts till the end of February. The hot weather period lies between the end of March to June. The rain breaks towards the end of June and continues till the end of September. Winter is not that severe. Fog occasionally occurs during these seasons.

Rain Fall Pattern and Distribution

The three stations for recording rainfall data, one of them is situated at Palkot i.e. within the sanctuary area, the second one at Gumla and the third one at Simdega. The data recorded from these stations are given below:-

Mammalian Fauna

Main Species of the Sanctuary is Sloth Bear and Deer. Recently it is seen that the number of Rhesus Monkey Macaca mulata has increased. The mammalian fauna that are found in the P.A. can be divided into primates, carnivores, ungulates, bears, mongoose, civets and other species.

Birds

Birds are amongst the most eye-catching forms of animal life. These are bipedal egg laying vertebrates in which the forelimbs have modified into wings. There are about 10,000 living bird species in the world. Birds are one of the best indicators of environmental quality of any ecosystem (Ripley, 1978). Of the total number of different species of birds known to inhabit earth, about one tenth is found in India alone. The avifauna of India includes around 1313 species.

Ecotourism

Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the fewest protected areas of the newly created Jharkhand state. Though its potential for ecotourism is unexplored, it can prove to be one of the best protected areas for ecotourism. Wildlife population in the area is not so encouraging but the mythological legends, historical places and scenic wilderness beauty has got potential for tourism. The avifauna, sal and mixed deciduous forests, river, caves, Tapkara dam and picturesque flat rocky patches are some of the attractive features which can attract tourists provided the problem of fear from extremism prevalent in the area goes down

The whole area of 183.18 sq.km areas is open for tourism but most of the area is inaccessible. Only the Palkot beat attracts local tourists. Tapkara dam, Gobar Silli (Palkot), Kaisara Pahar (popularlv known as Jahagi Pahar), caves and natural springs in Palkot Pahar are a few places which are approachable and are on Gumla-Simdega Road, these are famous tourist places. Local people from Gumla and Simdega come to visit wild animals or to have a fill of wilderness or for bird watching.

2. Birsa Mrig Vihar, Kalamati

History of Zoo

Birsa Mrig Vihar, Kalamati was created by Govt. of Bihar vide sanctioned order No. 52 dated 02-01-1982 at an initial cost of Rs. 13.775 lakhs under the Tribal Area Sub Plan of the Department of Forest and Environment.

Birsa Mrig Vihar, Kalamati was inaugurated by the then forest Hon’ble Minister Sri. Bhukla Bhagat on 05-03-1987.

Birsa Mrig Vihar, Kalamati has been recognized as “Mini Zoo” by CZA in the year 2009vide his letter no F. No 19-131/93-CZA(51)(M)-dated 19.05.2009.

Geology

Geologically the area is mainly comprised of granites and gneisses of Archean age. The other rock type exposed in the region consist of mica schist, amphibolites, dolerites, pegmatite and quartz. In the uplands considerable thickness of laterite of pleistocene age is also found along with the granite and gneisses. Alluvium of recent to sub-recent age is found in the river valley.

Rock & soil

Rock
The terrain is hilly, predominantly having rocks of Archean era (Dharwar and Post Dharwar). The soil is Mainly sandy in nature with rare patches of quartzite rocks in the gneisses Zone.

Soil
Rocky Soil:-Approximately 20% of the area comes under this. It is not actually under cultivation. This type of soil is found throughout the Kalamati.

Red Soil:-After rocky soil comes red soil, which spreads throughout the zoo. It covers nearly 60% of the soil area. The texture of the soil is sandy and loamy in upland and midland respectively. Its fertility is poor and it is acetic only.

Yellowish grey and grey soil:-Soil in the uplands is yellowish grey in colour while in the lowlands it is only grey. It covers 20% of the soil area. Soil in the upland is less fertile than the lowlands but on the whole this kind of soil is more fertile than red soil. However, this type of soil is deficient in organic matter as well as in other major soil nutrients.

Flora and fauna in the zoo premises:-

Flora
The region is a Sal dominating dry deciduous Forest. The Major Plant Species is Amla, Amaltas , Bahera, Bhurkund, Bhelwa, Chakundi, Chilbil, Gamhar

Fauna
At the time of establishment, diversity of fauna in this region was on a higher side whereas presently due to increased biotic interference the number of wild animals often sighted in the natural habitat is a rare experience.

Climate

Park is blessed with a pleasant climate, summer, winter and rainy seasons are moderate. Hot weather generally starts in the middle of March and lasts till the end of June and the peak summer is in the month of May. In summer season ‘Loo’ blows during day time resulting in sun-strokes occasionally. The mean maximum temperature is 37.2°C and mean Minimum temperature is 24°C. The winter season commences in November and lasts till the end of February. During winter the mean Maximum temperature is 22°C and means minimum is 7°C. The South west monsoon start in the middle of June and last till the months of September.

Visitor’s amenities:

A number of facilities have been created in the past for the visitors they are:-

• Yatri Sheds of resting sheds
• Benches
• Watch – Towers
• Bridge & pathways
• Toilets
• Drinking Water Facility
• Parking Facility for tow wheelers and four wheelers
• Canteen
• Children’s Parks
• Tourist Shed
• Nature Education Center
• Amphitheatre
• Garden cum Lawn
• Wheel chairs for disable visitors.

Safari Path

A safari path already exists in the park and it is used by the visitors to walk along to view the housed wild animals in various enclosures. The layout of the safari path is such that a visitors while moving along, it can view all the enclosures and wild animal in it and make observation, derive pleasures, do entertainment and avail various facilities meant for tourists.
The Total length of Safari path is 1.25 kms along with drainage facilities in order to prevent soil erosion. The width of the path is approximately 4.87 mtr. with slight variations at some points. All the portion of safari path is covered with paver tiles to facilitate the easy walk for tourist. Visitors amenities e.g. yatri sheds of resting shed, benches, watch tower, bridges, drinking water facilities are all and along the safari path.

Crocodile Breeding Centre, Muta

Location

The Muta Zoo is strategically located at the meeting point of three major cities i.e. Ranchi, Ramgarh and Bokaro. It is located on the national highway-33 near Ormanjhi section connecting Ranchi and Ramgarh. Also the state highway that connects Bokaro is 3km away from the Muta Zoo. The nearest Railway station and Airport is Ranchi, 35 Kms away. GPS co-ordinate of the Zoo 23031.083 N  85033.198 E.

Topography

The zoo location has an undulating topography. The terrain is hilly predominantly having rocks of Archean era (Dharwar and post Dharwar). The soil is mainly sandy in nature with rare patches of quartzite rocks in the gneisses zone.

Legal status

The area of Muta zoo falls under the category of protected forests. The administrative control of Muta zoo rests with Divisional Forest Officer, Wild Life Division, Ranchi

Flora

The habitat is interspersed with variety of flora in which Sal is the predominant species. The present crop in this area is coppice Sal which was extensively coppiced in 1980-81.  Were Jamun, Pipal, Emli, Bael, Bahera, Bargad, Kathal, Kend Kadamb etc.

Fauna

At the time of establishment, diversity of fauna in this region was on a higher side whereas presently due to increased biotic interference the number of wild animals often sighted in natural habitat is a rare experience.

Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre Muta

Location- Crocodile Breeding Centre Muta
Natural scavenger
Reason of Decline- Diclofenac medicine
Infrastructure ready

1. Colony aviary
2. Quarantine Aviary
3. Hospital Aviary
4. Nursery Aviary
5. Project Office

The concept of wild animal rescue centre was initiated in the year 2005 by the Chief Conservator of forest, Wildlife-cum-Chief Wildlife Warden, Jharkhand, Ranchi vide his letter dated 11.07.2005 whereunder request was made before the Animal Welfare Board of India for approval of Construction of Shelter House for wild animal in Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ormanjhi, Ranchi. The Animal Welfare Board of India vide its letter no. 232/05-06-AWB dated 22.08.2005 sought information relating to animal to be rescued.

The Director, Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, Ormanjhi, Ranchi vide his letter no. 777 dated 29.09.2005 submitted a proposal for Construction of Rescue Centre at Barwe on a chunk of forest land having an area of 101.32 acres at village-Barwe, Thana- Ormanjhi, Thana no.-25, Block-Ormanjhi, District-Ranchi & Plot no. 2,41,43,44,77, 492. The proposal consisted of boundary wall (4.2 kms), road (4kms), electricity, godown, guard quarter, rest room-cum-store, hospital, water arrangement, tiger enclosure, lion enclosure, leopard enclosure, deer enclosure, elephant enclosure, primates, reptiles, aviary, twin toilets and sloth bear enclosure. Later on, hyena enclosure was added at the place of lion enclosure pursuant to the instruction of CZA. Barwe is a village situated on Morabadi-Boreya-Ormanjhi village road and approximately 25 km away from Ranchi. The site is forested with two sporadic patches of sal forest and, apart from it, planted bamboo is also present which occupies almost half of the site. Topographically the major part of location is plain and a small part is a hillock which is situated towards the river on the eastern side. The eastern portion of the site is bounded by a small river, on the bank of which, crematory ground for local villagers is in vogue since a long time.

Building Construction Range, Ranchi

1. No of Administrative Building- Block A to Block G (Total-07 Block)
2. No of Officer’s Quarters- 30 Nos.
3. No of 3rd Grade staff Quarters – 82 Nos.
4. No of 4th Grade staff Quarters – 22 Nos.