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Natural Resources

Bihar lies in the tropical to sub tropical region. Rainfall here is the most significant factor in determining the nature of vegetation. Bihar has a monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of 1200 mm.

Forests

Distribution of the Forests: The state has got natural sal forests in the district of West Champaran in the terai region of shivaliks. Besides, Sal forests are abundant in the southern Bihar in the districts of Kaimur,Rohatas,Aurangabad,Gaya,Jamui,Munger and Banka. The West Champaran district has moist deciduous Sal forest while south Bihar has dry deciduous Sal Forests. Most of the Natural Forests are notified as protected Forests. The Distribution of Forests in the Bihar State is as follows:

The state of Bihar presently has 6845 sq km notified natural forest area which is 7.27% of the geographical area of the state. These natural forests are spread in the districts of West Champaran, Kaimur, Rohtas, Aurangabad, Gaya, Jahanabad, Nawada, Nalanda,Munger,Banka and Jamui. The north Bihar except West Champaran is devoid of Natural Forests.

The Plant Species Composition: The important Tree species of Bihar are Sal (Shorea robusta), Shisham, Teak, Gamhar, Kadamb, Semal ,Neem Peepal Bargad,Arjun, Asan, Haldu,Mahua and Kend etc .

Important wildlife species of Bihar: The State of Bihar is rich in wild animals. The important Terrestrial species are Tiger , Leopard, Bear, Hyena, Bison, Chital, Barking Deer etc. Besides there are many varieties of Crocodile, Magars and Fishes, Gangetic turtles in River systems. Bihar has got the privilege of having the National Aquetic animal , Fresh water Dolphin in the River Ganges,Kosi ,Gandak, Mahanada and Paimar rivers of the state etc. Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary has been notified at Bhagalpur portion of the River Ganges. Bihar is also famous for different wetlands and many varieties of local bird species as well as migratory birds. Different Natural wetlands like Kanwar lake, Baraila lake, Kusheshwar nath Lake, Udaypur lake and man made lakes Nagi Dam& Nakti Dam have been declared as Bird Sanctuary. The Bihar has breeding population of greater adjutants in Naugachia area of Bhagalpur district. The state has constructed a Rescue and Rehabilitation centre at Bhagalpur.

The sub Himalayan foothill of Someshwar and Dun ranges in Champaran constitute another belt of moist deciduous forests. These also consists of scrub, grass and reeds. Here the rainfall is above 1,600 mm and thus promotes luxuriant Sal forests in the favoured areas. The hot and dry summer gives the deduous forests. The most important trees are Shorea Robusta (Sal), Shisham, Cedrela Toona, Khair, and Semal. This type of forests also occurs in Saharasa and Purnia districts.

Forests in Bihar

1.Bihar Forests - At a Glance:

SL	Description	Area (in km²)	%age
1.	Geographical Area	94,163	100
2.	Forest Area	6,473	6.87
3.	Very Dense Forest	76	0.08
4.	Dense Forest	2,951	3.13
5.	Open Forest	2,531	2.69

2.Protected Areas:

SL	Description	Number
1.	Nation Parks	1
2.	Sanctuaries	11
3.	Protected Forest Area	3,208.47 km²
4.	Protected Non-Forest Area	76.30 km²

3.Details of Protected Areas:

SL	Name of Park/Sanctuary	District	Type
1.	Barela SAZS Sanctuary	Vaishali	Sanctuary
2.	Bhimbandh Sanctuary	Monghyr	Sanctuary
3.	Gogabil Pakshi Vihar	Katihar	Closed Area
4.	Gautambuddha Sanctuary	Gaya	Sanctuary
5.	Kaimur Sanctuary	Rohtas	Sanctuary
6.	Kanwar Jheel Bird Sanctuary	Begusarai	Sanctuary
7.	Kusheshwarsthan	Darbhanga	Closed Area
8.	Nagi Dam Bird Sanctuary	Jamui	Sanctuary
9.	Nakti Dam Bird Sanctuary	Jamui	Sanctuary
10.	Rajgir Sanctuary	Nalanda	Sanctuary
11.	Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Garden	Patna	Botanical Garden
12.	Udaypur Sanctuary	West Champaran	Sanctuary
13.	Valmiki National Park	West Champaran	National Park
14.	Valmiki Sanctuary	West Champaran	Sanctuary
15.	Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin	Bhagalpur	Sanctuary

Source: Bihar Forest Department

Fertile Land

The topography of Bihar can be easily described as a fertile alluvial plain occupying the Gangetic Valley. The plain extends from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to a few miles south of the river Ganges as it flows through the State from the west to the east. Rich farmland and lush orchards extend throughout the state. Following are the major crops: paddy, wheat, lentils, sugarcane, jute (hemp, related to the marijuana plant, but a source of tough fibers and "gunny bags"). Also, cane grows wild in the marshes of West Champaran. The principal fruits are: mangoes, banana, jack fruit and litchis. This is one the very few areas outside China which produces litchi.

Mineral Production

The minerals are vital raw materials for a number of basic industries. The present state of Bihar contains minor minerals like soil, sand and stone, and the major minerals of the state include granite, bauxite, quartzite, pyrite, mica and limestone. There is also a possibility of petroleum reserves to be located in the districts of West Champaran, Purnea, Saharsa and Supaul.

Though a very small amount of minerals is available in the state, the revenue collection from it increased from Rs. 971.00 crore in 2015-16 to Rs. 994.90 crore in 2016-17.

Bihar is the principal holder of country's pyrite resources and possesses 94% of resources. The important mineral occurrences in Bihar are coal in Rajmahal coalfield; limestone in Kaimur (Bhabhua), Monghyr and Rohtas districts; mica in Nawada district; quartz/silica sand in Bhagalpur, Jamui, Monghyr and Nalanda districts; quartzite in Lakhisarai, Monghyr and Nalanda districts; talc/soapstone/steatite in Monghyr district. Besides, occurrences of bauxite in Monghyr and Rohtas districts; china clay in Bhagalpur and Monghyr districts; felspar in Gaya, Jamui and Monghyr districts; fireclay in Bhagalpur and Purnea districts; gold in Jamui district; granite in Bhagalpur, Gaya, Jahanabad and Jamui districts; iron ore (hematite) in Bhagalpur district; iron ore (magnetite) in Gaya and Jamui districts; lead-zinc in Banka and Rohtas districts and pyrites in Rohtas district.