Forest Resources

• As an integral part of the natural resources and ecological systems, forests serve a multitude of purposes – regulating the hydrological cycle, helping in soil conservation, providing forest products, offering habitat to the wildlife, flora, and fauna, and opportunities for recreation.
• The forest cover of Bihar (7380.79 sq. kms.) which is 7.84% of the state’s geographical area.
• Bihar lies in the tropical to sub-tropical region. Here rainfall is the most significant factor in determining the nature of forest.
• Bihar has a monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of 112 cm.
• The sub-Himalayan foothills of Someshwar and Dun range in Champaran constitute another belt of moist deciduous forests.
• It also consists of scrubs, grasses and reeds.
• Here the rainfall is above 1,600 mm and thus, promotes luxuriant Sal forests in the favoured areas.
• Bihar is endowed with rich deciduous natural sal forests, which are spread over the southern districts of Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Jamui, Munger, and Banka. In addition, the moist deciduous forest occupies the district of West Champaran in the northern plains.
• The hot and dry summer gives the deciduous forests.

Types of Forest

• Moist Deciduous forests: They are found in the areas having 120 cm or more rainfall. Sal is prominent in this forest, and it can be divided into two parts-

a) Someshwar and Dun range forests: Sal, Khair, and Shisam trees are found.

b) Tarai region forests: Bamboo, Naksar, grasses, etc. are found.

• Dry Deciduous forests: These are less developed deciduous forests. The shrubs and small trees are prominent here. There is loss of this vegetation in plains but this vegetation is found in narrow southern plateau region.

• In Bihar, 7380.79 sq km, i.e., 7.84% area is found under forest cover.
• Kaimur district (1051.56 sq km) of Bihar has highest area under forest cover.
• According to districtwise of forest cover, Kaimur has the first (31.56%) position, after then Jamui is in second (21.34%) and goes to Nawada district third (20.72%) position.
• The only national park in Bihar is Valmiki National Park, which is a tiger reserve as well. This is located in the north mountainous region of West Champaran district.
• The major sanctuaries of the state are Gautam Buddha (Gaya) and Bhimbandh (Munger).
• The Kanwar Lake of Begusarai is the main bird sanctuary of the state.
• Highest area under forest cover: Kaimur (Bhabhua) (1051.56) > West Champaran (903.34) > Rohtas (669.91) km².
• Highest percentage of forest: Kaimur (31.56%) > Jamui (21.34%) > Nawada (20.72%)
• Lowest percentage of forest: Sheikhpura (0.17%) < Buxar or Siwan (0.35%) < Gopalganj (0.42%)
• Natural Vegetation and Wildlife in Bihar
• The natural vegetation includes all types of plants, herbs and shrubs. These are important in maintaining ecological balance, determines the climatic aspects and are also of economic importance.
• Similarly, the wildlife helps in maintaining the ecological balance of an area.

ISFR Report 2021: Bihar

On 13 January, 2022, Minister for Environment, forest climate, Shrs Bhupender Yadav, released the ‘India State of Forest Report 2021’.

• Based on Indian State of Forest Report-2021, the forest cover in Bihar is 7380.79 sq km which is 7.84% of the State’s geographical area.
• In terms of forest canopy density classes, the state has 333.42 sq km under very dense forest 3,285.83 sq km under moderately dense forest and 3,761.54 sq km under open forest.

Schemes of the Department of Forest

The Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of the State Government has undertaken various afforestation programmes to maintain ecological and environmental stability. The Bihar State Agroforestry Policy of 2018 seeks to protect and stabilize ecosystem, promote resilient cropping systems, and enhance employment to rural households through expansion of agroforestry. The schemes of the forest department are given below:

• Plantation under Namami Gange Scheme: Plantation is to be done under ‘Namami Gange Scheme’ in 20 districts of Bihar, from where Ganga and its tributaries flow. In Bihar, Ganga flows through 12 districts- Buxar, Bhojpur, Saran, Patna, Vaishali, Samastipur, Begusarai, Lakhisarai, Khagaria, Munger, Katihar and Bhagalpur. Under this scheme, development of wetlands and construction of eco-parks will provide source of income to the local communities living on the banks of Ganga and its tributaries. The scheme will be implemented in two phases – Phase-1 (2015-16 to 2020-21) and Phase-2 (2021-22 to 2024-25)
• Forestry Programme: The basic objective of forestry program is to develop forests on barren land. For this, 1000 square kilometers of land has been identified. Under this programme, forest development is to be done on one-third of the total fallow land. Tree plantation is also done on vacant land of government and private institutions under this programme.
• Chief Minister Urban Forestry Scheme: In the year 2013-14, a new scheme named ‘Chief Minister Urban Forestry Scheme’ was started. In this plan, priority was given to the construction of ‘green belts’ in the cities, moving away from the traditional urban forestry. Under this scheme, the major cities of Bihar – Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Rajgir and Muzaffarpur were intensively covered with trees.
• Krishi Vaniki-Other Species Yojana: Since 2012-13, this agricultural forestry scheme is being implemented in Bihar, mainly to encourage planting of other species such as teak, mahogany, beechwood (gamhar), rosewood, khair, etc. The saplings were being given to the interested farmers free of cost during the rainy season. Further, cash incentives to the tune of Rs. 10.00 per plant in the first two years and Rs. 15.00 per plant in the third year was being provided to assist in the upkeep of the growing plant.
• Krishi Vaniki- Poplar Yojana (ETP): This Agricultural Forestry Scheme was being implemented in Bihar to promote short rotation and commercial plantation in farming land with a view to increase tree cover for environmental protection. The Department provides poplar ETP free of cost to the selected beneficiaries, during December-January. Which is based on survival of the plants, the farmers get cash incentive amount for the maintenance of the plants Rs. 15 per plan in the third year. Rs. 10 each in first two years and
• Mukhya Mantri Niji Paud hshala-Poplar ETP Yojana: The poplar plantation scheme aims to set up nurseries with quality plants belonging to different species through entrepreneurs and farmers. This scheme is being implemented in the all the districts of Bihar, where the beneficiaries are being given a subsidy at the rate of Rs. 10,000 for cuttings per acre. The Department purchases the same at a pre-determined rate of Rs. 3.50 per plant.
• Mukhya Mantri Niji Paudhshala- Other Species Yojana: This scheme was launched for the purpose of making the seeds available for distribution for establishment of nursery. The plants are purchased at a rate determined by the department. During 2018-19, there were 350 beneficiaries under this scheme in the state.
• Har Parisar-Hara Parisar Yojana: This programme envisages ‘Every Campus as a Green Campus. Due to limited availability of forest land in the state, this scheme was launched with an objective to increase greenery and purify the environment. The plants of suitable species are being planted on vacant lands in the premises of government and non-government institutions.
• Greening of Urban Spaces: The Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is encouraging projects related to landscaping of urban parks and maintaining green spaces in urban areas. During 2017-18 to 2019- 20, a total of 1, 01,134 plants have been planted in the urban areas in Bihar.