Wildlife Sanctuaries & Parks in Bihar

The State was once rich in wildlife as the neighboring States of Orissa nad Madhya Pradesh. Emperor Ashok with Patliputra being the Capital of his empire had adopted the lion for his royal emblem, which confirms that lions too were found in Bihar. The present protected parks and sanctuaries are

Valmiki National Park

Valmiki Tiger Reserve is located in the district of West Champaran, 105 km from Bettiah along the Indo-Nepal Border. Covers an area of 880 sq.km and is declared as Valmiki National Park. Out of the total 880 sq.km, 840.26 sq.km area brought under “Project Tiger” in the year 1990 and is the 18th Tiger Reserve in the Country. The forest

there sustains Tigers, Deer, Clouded Leopards, Spotted Deer, Hog Deer, Sambhar, mongoose etc.

Bhimbandh Sanctuary

Bhimbandh Sanctuary located in Monghyr District covers an area of 681.99 sq.km on the hills and undulating tract of Kharagpur Hills. It is situated at a distance of 56 km from Munghyr and 20 km from Jamui Railway Station and 200 km from Patna Airport. Lying south of the River Ganga and drained by the River Kiul and Man and other streams form a distinct watershed. Several hot springs dot the whole forest. Wild life was once abundant, the forests being very popular with local hunters. There are number of places of tourist interest nearby the Sanctuary like, Bhimbandh, Rishikund, Ha Ha Punch Kumari, Rameshwar Kund, Kharagpur Lake, Sringrishi etc. There are Tourist a lodge, forest rest houses that offer to stay, and Swimming pools have been constructed at Bhimbandh to enjoy the hot water bath during winter.

Rajgir Sanctuary

The Rajgir Sanctuary is located at 2 km from Rajgir railway Station and 130 km from Patna Airport. The Sanctuary is stretched in an area of 35.84 sq.km. The Sanctuary area is full of small hills an undulating land. There are number of hot water springs in the area. Sulphur content in hot water is quite high. Among the wildlife found in the Sanctuary the notable ones are Leopard, Hyena, Barking Deer, Nilgai etc. The birds, which have been identified, are peafowl, jungle fowl, partridge, black and grey quails, hornbill, parrot, dove, myna etc. Wild bear is very common to this area. In addition to the Sanctuary there is a Bamboo Park (Venuvana). This was originally a park of King Bimbisara. The Forest Department constructed beautiful Deer Park which Cheetals, Nilgais and Sambhars. To add to all other beautiful places of historical importance there is an aerial ropeway that provides the link with a hilltop stupa built by Japanese Government. The Sanctuary offers very good facilities for boarding and lodging. There is one Forest Rest, one inspection bungalow and a PWD forest cottage.

Kaimur Sanctuary

The Kasimur wildlife is located in the District of Sasaram under DFO Shahabad Division. The area of the sanctuary is 1342 sq.km, are mainly confined to hills and undulating ground. Black buck and Nilgai are the two most common specie the other species a s. Other species are Chinkara, Tiger, Leopard, Hyena, Wildboar, Sloth bear etc. are found. The Sanctuary is well connected by rail and road. Nearest railway station is Sasaram, Dehri-on-Son, and Bhabua. The sanctuary offers limited tourist facilities, with the hotels in Sasaram. Other important tourist places in ther adjacent are Musoleum of Sher Shah Suri at Sasaram, Dhuankund, Karkatgarh etc.

Gautam Buddha Sanctuary

The Sanctuary is located at a distance of 20 kms from Gaya and 60 km from Bodh Gaya, falls in both Gaya of Bihar and Hazaribagh and Chhatra of Jharkhand State. The area of the Sanctuary is 259 sq.km situated on either side off th NH-2. The forst of the sanctuary are located on the hills and undulating tracts lying north of the hilly terrain which is an extension of Chhotanagpur plateau. Among the wildlife found in in the sanctuary the notable ones are tigers, leopards, hyaenas, sloth bear, wolf, wild dog, wild boar, sambhar., spotted deer, Nilgai etc.

Udayapur Sanctuay

Udaipur Willife Sanctuary is located in the district of West Champaran covers an area of 8.87 sq.km. in the district of west Champaran. Bettiah, the district headquarter of west Champaran is about 15 km. Spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar, nilgai, civet, wolf, jungle cat. Porupine etc are found. Migratory birds are visible during winter months in the lake.

Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary

Sanctuary extends from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon hill (Approax.50 km) in the middle of Ganga. Dolphins inhabit mostly the area of confluence of rivers. Due to the construction of Farakka Dam, the dolphin piopulation has become isolated and fragmented. In India for the first time, Bihar has taken the lead of declaring 50 kms of Ganga as Dolhin Sanctuary.

Kabar Jheel Bird Sanctuary

The Kabar Jheel Bird Sanctuary is located 22 km north west of Begusarai. The area of the sanctuary is 63.11 sq.km. The Kabar Lake is formed through the meander of River Burhi Gandak. The Lake supports 59 types of migratory bird and 106 residential bird species as well as 31 species of fish. Rhesus, jackal, Indian fox, bats, langur and squirrel. The main migratory birds found are Great Crested Crab, Barheaded goose, Bramhiny duck, common pochard, falcon, coots, paintail, snips, green and sand piper, grey heron, Littele green heron cattle egret water cock etc. represent the fauna of this region. The sanctuary nowadays become a centre of research.

Gogabil Bird Sanctuary

The Gogabill has a great global, national and regional significance and this is why the government of Bihar has declared it as a closed area. This wet land is so rich in aquatic flora and fauna and so fascinating wintering ground for the migratory birds. The Gogabill, an oxbow lake is formed through the meander of River Kankar. As per the mid-winter Watwerfowl census of Gogabill Pakshi Vihar by Mandar Nature Club, Bhagalpur, more than 112 types of birds are found here. Pintail, Common Teal, grey teal, Gadwall, Shoveller, red crested pochard, whiteeyed pochard, Tufted duck, maresh hamier,, coot, gulls, tems etc.

Sanjay Gandhi Biological Park, Patna

Established in the year 1973 started with a biological garden. The total area of the Park is 153 acres. It stands almost as a forest houses more than fifty varieties of animals and birds whose total number exceeds 550. Important species are; Rhinocerous, clouded leopard, Leopard cats, European Fallow Deer, Slow Loris, Hyena. Tiger, Lion, Deers, Antelope. To develop awareness among the students Zoo Education Programnme is conducted regularly. The park has train ride, boating and elephant ride facilities for the tourist.

Nakti Dam Bird Sanctuary

Located in Jamui District, is only 15 km from Jhaja Railway Station.The total area of the sanctuary is 3.32 sq.km Migratory birds are visible during winter are red crested, pochard, common pochard, pintall ducks, pond heron, egrets, swamp patridges etc.

Nagi Dam Bird Sanctuary

This is the smallest bird sanctuary covers only 1.91 sq.km. Negi Dam is spectacular wetland habitat. The plant life forms are not varied in the sanctuary where birds are mainly dependent on food supply from nearby vegetation. Migratory birds are visible during winter. Mostly red-Crested Pochard, Pintail Ducks, Cootse are found.