INTRODUCTION:
The term biodiversity was coined by Walter and Rosen in 1985, which is short for Biological Diversity. The biosphere constitutes a vital life support system for man and his existence of the human race. The newly formed state of Jharkhand in India is very rich in biodiversity due to its diverse physiographic and climatic conditions. The state of Jharkhand is situated between 21°58’10” to 25°18′ N latitude and 83°22′ to 87°57′ E longitude. Jharkhand is part of the Chotanagpur Plateau Province of the Biogeographical Zone of the Deccan Peninsula. As the name of the state suggests, it has a good forest cover (reserved forest 4,387.20 km2, protected forest 19,184.78 km2 and unclassified forest 33.49 km2). Mixed deciduous forest. The forests form basins of the three main rivers: Koel, Damodar and Subernekha Forest cover is 23605.47 km2 which is 29.6% of the total geographic area of the state i.e. 79714 km2 The landscape of the state has wild habitats , semi-wild and cultivated.
The state is also very rich in natural resources. Almost 50% of the country’s minerals are found in the state; iron and coal are important among the main ones, but the mineral map and forests overlap for the main minerals (Anonymous 2009). The state has a wide variety of wildlife. The floristic diversity includes 97 species of trees, 46 varieties of shrubs and herbs, 25 types of climbers, parasites and orchids, and 17 types of grasses. The main trees in the state are Shorea robusta (Sal), Delbergia sissioo (Sesum), Madhuca indica (Mahua), Acasia nilotica (babool), Azadirachta indica (Neem), Terminalia arjuna (Arjun), bombax ceiba (Semul), and Butea. monosperma (Palas). 39 species of mammals, 170 species of birds, 12 species of reptiles, including 8 species of snakes and 4 species of lizards, and about 21 species of insects were reported in Jharkhand forest. The main mammalian fauna includes tigers, leopards, sloths, elephants, warthogs, Indian bison, hyenas, wild monkeys and langurs, deer and antelope, wolves, etc.
METHODOLOGY:
For the present investigation, the author conducted a survey from Jamshedpur between May and June 2010 with the help of the Jharkhand Department of Forests and collected the data. The study area was divided into seven zones, viz. Udhuwa Lake Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary, Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary, Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary, Simdega Forest and Dalma wildlife sanctuary. The observation was done through the watchtowers and the data collected through actual observation, as well as through the collection of information from local tribes and villagers showing pictures of animals. The data collected was analyzed and compared with previous data.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION:
The survey revealed the following animal diversity from the study areas.
In the year 2000, 45 species of mammals, 205 species of birds, 15 species of reptiles and 45 species of invertebrates were recorded, while in 2005, the diversity of species was reduced to 41 species of mammals, 201 of birds, 14 of reptiles and 43 invertebrates. In 2010, the diversity found was 35 species of mammals with 168 birds and 11 reptiles. The diversity of invertebrate species showed an inclination in number of 48.
From the above data, it is obvious that the state’s species diversity is continually declining. The fauna of mammals and birds is gradually declining until 2010, with a slight increase in 2008, it could be due to the conservation strategies undertaken by the state government. As far as the diversity of reptiles is concerned, it has continually declined. The diversity of insects has shown an increasing trend.
The state’s biodiversity is under constant pressure from unsustainable harvesting of living resources, habitat destruction and fragmentation, impacts from pollutants, and competition from invasive, often exotic, colonizing species. Biodiversity is also threatened by various other factors such as industrialization, urbanization, agricultural activities, quarrying, unrestricted free-range cattle grazing, mining activities, the construction of railways, highways, dams, other development and even the ethnic customs of the tribes.
Some of Jharkhand’s threatened wildlife species include the Asian elephant Elephas maximus (endangered), the sloth bear Melursus ursinus (vulnerable), and the Indian giant squirrel Ratufa indica (least concern). The races of two bird species, the green-billed malkoha Phaenicophaeus tristis tristis and the striped babbler Macronous gularis rubicapilla recorded here are isolated populations found at the southernmost edge of their range in west-central India. Notable among the reptiles was the Indian chameleon Chamaeleo zeylanicus, which is listed in Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
Understanding the biodiversity profile of the area can provide data for best mining practices, mitigation plans, and biodiversity offset suggestions for conserving threatened biodiversity. Habitat loss not only precipitates species extinction, but also represents a loss of biodiversity in its own right. The dramatic loss of species and ecosystems hides equally large and important threats to genetic diversity. The loss of genetic diversity could harm agriculture. It is difficult to say how much the genetic base has already eroded, but since the 1950s, the spread of modern “Green Revolution” varieties of maize, wheat, rice, and other crops has rapidly eliminated indigenous breeds (Jharenvis 2008 ). This survey suggests that there is a great need for wildlife conservation in the state.
RECOGNITION:
The authors take the opportunity to express their gratitude to Mr. MS Jain, former director of Tata Steel Zoological Park, Jamshedpur, for providing the necessary facilities and organizing the surveys. They are also grateful to forest officials for providing support. They are also grateful to the local tribes and villagers for helping with the survey.
REFERENCES:
1. Anonymous (2009). Biodiversity. Green problem. p. 1-29.
2. Jharenvis (2008). Environmental information system. Department of Forests and Environment, Jharkhand.
The newly formed state of Jharkhand is rich in biodiversity due to its diverse physiographic and climatic conditions. Biodiversity includes species of 39 mammals, 12 reptiles and about 15 species of insects, which is seriously threatened by various development activities. In the present study, a survey of mammalian diversity was carried out and found to be continually declining, indicating a need for conservation.
