INTRODUCTION TO THE AREA

INTRODUCTION
Fast dwindling population of Indian Tiger (pannhera tigris) in the 20th Century had
almost put this species of ecological importance on the verge of extinction. A the
end of the 19th Century. Estimated number of tiger was approximately 40000.A
concern was raised to protect this species along with its area a which it was found.
Govt of India took decision to conduct census of this species throughout the country
so that viable population areas are recognized. Accordingly, country wide census
was done in the year 1972 which produced alarming situation as 1875 tigers were
located in the whole of country. Thus on the basis of the census operation nine state
of Jharkhand, forests situated in the southern portion of Palamau district was found
suitable for creation of Tiger Reserve and consequently Palamau Tiger Reserve was
created in June 1974 as per notification issued by the state Govt. of Bihar.
Location:
Palamau Tiger Reserve is located in the district of Palamau, situated between
latitudes 23 digree25 inch and 23 digree55 inch North and Longitudes 83 digree50
inch and 84 degree 36 inch eastern in the state of Jharkhand.
This forests now forms part of the two Forest Divisions namely project Tiger Division
and Daltonganj South Division. Headed by Divisional Forest Officers under the
palamau project Tiger Circle. Vide notification No.35/96 dated 15.01.97 by the state
Govt. of Bihar. Total area of Palamau Tiger Reserve is 1026.00Sq.Kms.
Constitution:
As stated in the above para, two Forest Divisions are divided into Ranges. beats and
sub beats. The division into Ranges. beats and sub beats. The division into Ranges
is as follows:(1)Project Tiger Division:
Betla Range, Chhipadohar East Range, Chhipadohar West Range and Kutku Range.
Area of this Division spreads over 575.Sq Kms.
Daltonganj South Forest Division:
Garu East Range, Garu West Range, Barasand Range and Mahuadane Range. Total
area of Daltonganj South Division spreads over 730 Sq .Km. including Mahuadane
Range, which is outside the Tiger Reserve.
Thus total area of the project Tiger Circle is 1306 Sq.Kms.The area of the Palamau
Tiger Reserve falls is the following district:
Palamau district - 854.13 Sq.Kms.

Garhwa district - 156.05 Sq.Kms.

Gumla district - 15.82 Sq.Kms.
Total Area of PTR - 1026.00 Sq. Kms.
Legal status:
The present form of the Reserve dates back to march 1961 when Daltonganj north
Division was carved out of Daltonganj Forest Division vide Govt. of Bihar notification
No. C/F-013/61-445 R dated 16th 20th March, 1961.
Initially all the forests of the present Reserve were under the parent Palamu Forest
division which was formed in 1875. In 1884,the chhotanagpur division was
constituted comprising as subdivisions the formerly constituted Palamu,Hazaribagh
and Singhbhum divisions.in 1890-91 Palanu was again formed into a separate
division which remained till the year 1952
Majority of the Reserved Forest were constituted in 1877 under the Indian Forest
Act. Of 1863 but they over ratified in 1879 under the Indian Fforest Act 1878.
Protected Forest(old) were earlier notified under section 20 of the Indian Forest Act
1878.Allthese forest were later notified as reserve forest under section 20 of the
Indian forests Act 1927 vide notification No. SO.2688 dated 6th month 1978 by the
State govt. of Bihar . Khalsa reserve forests were notified as reserve forests vide
notification No.6661-111-F339-949 dated 7.11.1949 and SO.100 dated 18.1.1978.
All the Zamindari forests were notified as protected forests under the provision of
Indian forest Act 1927 vide various notification from 1953 to 1966. All these
projected forests are right burdened forests.
979.97 Sq. Km.area of the Palamu tiger reserve has been declared as palamu
wildlife Sanctuary umder section 18 (1)of the wildlife(protection )Act 1972 vide
S.O.No.1224 dated 17.7.1979 an area of 746.36Sq.Km.has been sent to Govt.of
Bihar for final notification under section 26 of the Act. An area of 226.32.Sq.Km. has
been notified as Betla National park .
Zonation :
Forest of the Palamu Tiger Reserve is divided into three zones,viz.Buffer zone, Core
zone and Tourism zone . The area and name of the forests falling in each zone is
given in Annexure 1.A map showing distribution of zone is shown on Map No.-1.
A map of the state of Jharkhand showing forest cover an location of the Palamu
Tiger is Reserve is shown in Map No.-2.
Approach and access:

The nearest railhead is Daltonganj which is 25 Km. away from Betla, the center of
the Forest Zone. Berwadih and Chhipadoher are also rail heads inside the reserve.
In the western side of the Reserve the Daltonganj- Ranchi state high way passes.
Another P.W.D. road almost passes through reserve, which connects Daltonganj to
Betla , Chhipadoher, Garu, Baresand , Mahuadar, Neterhat etc. Road traffic is allweather from Daltonganj to Ranchi and few Buses also ply from Daltonganj to
Mahuadar.
The nearest airport is Ranchi which is about 180 Km. from Daltonganj and 195 Km.
from Betla and Patna airport is about 250Kms. From Betla, tourist head quarter of
the Palamu Tiger reserve.
A road traverse from garu to Banari from were one can go to Ranchi, Gumla and
Neterhat.