Jal, Jungle & Jameen - Mantra for biodiversity conservation

The state's name, Jharkhand, is a name derived from the Hindi words "Jhar", meaning forest and "Khand" — land or simply, "land of forests". Historically, the term was used to refer to the forested land between Babadham (Deoghar) and Puri (in Odisha). Jharkhand has also been home to 32 major tribal groups that associate their identities with "jal-jungle and jamin" (water, forest and land).

With a rich endowment by nature coupled with its nature-loving people, it is no surprise that the state conserves some of the pristine and oldest natural sites of ecological importance — the fossil parks of Rajmahal hills in Sahibganj district. It hosts plant and animal fossils from the Jurassic era (150-200 million years ago). Noted geologist Birbal Sahni established the area as a global palaeontological site.

In 2022, chief minister Hemant Soren inaugurated the Rajmahal hills, the state's first fossil park, to preserve the Jurassic era plant and animal fossils, describing them as a treasure trove.

Meanwhile, the life of indigenous people of the state revolves around trees — Saal (Shorea robusta) and Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) — the two important varieties, the former being used during festivals like Sarhul and the latter forming a part of day-to-day life as a source of nutrients and raw material for brewing alcoholic drinks.

Among the myriad fauna in the state, Jharkhand boasts of being home to the world's smallest wild pig — pygmy hog (Sus salvanius) — and also to the majestic Asiatic elephant (Elephas maximus). Sadly, the pygmy hog has almost vanished from the Jharkhand forests and the elephants face the challenge of shrinking corridors.

While the Malabar pied hornbill is also a treat to the eyes, the silk moth and lac insects (Kerria lacca) are exclusive to the region and add to the richness of the biodiversity, besides supporting the livelihood of several thousand people. At the same time, Jharkhand is home to 40% of the country's mineral and 29% coal reserve, extraction of which often threatens the ecology and biodiversity.

The state's forests, classified into eight distinct types under the Champion & Seth classification, are home to diverse flora, fauna, and indigenous tribal communities, including the Munda, Oraon, Ho, Santhal, and Paharia, who maintain a deep connection with nature. Traditional festivals like Sarhul and Karma celebrate this bond with forests.

Currently, the Jharkhand Biodiversity Board is intensifying conservation efforts through documentation, community engagement and awareness initiatives. Key ecological hotspots under focus include Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Betla National Park, Parasnath Hills and biodiverse zones in places, including Gumla, Ranchi and Palamu districts.

To balance development with ecological sustainability, the board plans to collaborate with major mining companies like CCL, BCCL, ECL, and NTPC. These companies will submit conservation strategies, survey reports, and restoration plans for mined-out areas with some to be designated as OECMs (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures).

"We have outlined key strategies to strengthen biodiversity conservation in the face of expanding mining activities," said Sanjeev Kumar, the principal chief conservator of forests and member secretary of the Jharkhand Biodiversity Board.

The board's initiatives included planting rare, endangered, and threatened (RET) species in degraded lands and updating people's biodiversity registers with corporate support. Plans also included organising exposure visits for biodiversity management committee members to successful restoration sites and implementing livelihood programmes for mining-affected tribal communities.

"The aim is to turn ecological restoration into a vehicle for community empowerment. Companies must undertake conservation efforts in mining zones to ensure that development doesn't compromise biodiversity," Kumar emphasised.

At the same time, recent data shows over 690 hectares of forest land were diverted for non-forestry uses between January 2015 and February 2019. Currently, only 2.74% of the state land falls under the protected area network, comprising one national park and 11 wildlife sanctuaries.