Geography and Physical Features

The terrain is extremely varied and is spotted with several prominent hills. The district is a part of the North Chhotanagpur Division and there are two distinct divisions of this district - Central Plateau and lower plateau. The central plateau touches the western portion of the district near Bagodar block.

Around the central plateau are the lower plateaus on all sides except the western portion on which side a ridge connects the central plateau to the Palamu district. The lower plateaus average 1300 feet in height, their surface being undulating, in the north and north-west, the lower plateaus form fairly leveled tablelands until they reach the ghats when they drop to about 700 feet.

In the east, the general elevation is lower and the descent gradual. The famous Parasnath Hill is located in this division, which has the distinction of having the highest peak in the state, with an altitude of 4431 feet above the mean sea level.

The land of the district is rocky and in some parts it is cultivable. Dumri, Pirtand, Gandey, part of Giridih, Tisri, Gawan and part of Deori are hill areas, where as Jamua, Dhanwar, Bagodar and Bengabad Blocks have cultivable areas.

Giridih District is drained by several rivers and streams. The Barakar River flows through the western part of the district, while the Usri River and its tributaries traverse the central and eastern regions. These rivers not only enhance the natural beauty but also contribute to the agricultural productivity of the area.

The climate of Giridih is characterized as tropical, with hot summers and relatively cool winters. The monsoon season, from June to September, brings moderate to heavy rainfall to the region, nourishing the agricultural lands and enhancing the greenery.

Forest Area

Forest of the division are spread over the all of Giridih District except western and central part of the district. The forests lie mainly on its undulating slopes.

The division contains a large portion of forested area & which is distributed almost uniformly all over. Sal is the most famous and predominant species of trees in the Jock of the district. Among other common species are bamboo, khair (catechu), salai, simul, mahua, palas, kusum, kend, asaa_piar and bhelwa.

It comprises of five forest ranges namely Parasnath ,Dumri, Giridih, Khurchutta, and Gawan.

The division is bounded on the north by the Monghyr and Gaya district , on the east by the Santhal Parganas, on the west by the Koderma Forests Division . The Whole area is on the Lower Hazaribagh plateau.

The forest are widely scattered in big and small blocks. Forest blocks of Gawan, Dumri and Parasnath, look mountainous and slopes are often precipitous. In the areas of Khurchutta reserve, Bengabad and Giridih. The hills are lower and generally with gentler slopes. The elevation on this flat portion ranges between 305 meters and 366 meters.

It forms part of the Barakar Basin. On the northern side,Tisri hill ranges interrupt the sky line, with peaks of 533 meters (1748 ft) and 604 metres (1807 ft). Forests occur on all these hills their density and quality naturally varying with the case or difficulty of access.

In terms of vegetation, Giridih District exhibits a mix of forests and agricultural lands. The forests are mainly composed of deciduous trees like sal, mahua, and bamboo. These forests not only serve as a habitat for wildlife but also contribute to the ecological balance of the region.

Wildlife

The occurrence of wild animals is rather rare in this area at present. The commonest animal is the wild boar which his evident from the hue and cry raised by the villagers against damage caused to their agricultural crops by this animal. The other animals which are reported though in smaller number are the barking dear (rare) hyena, leopard, hare, wolf, jackal, sloth bear, and common langur.

The elephant herds pass through regularly from the forest area and can be located seasonally in Dumri block providing connected ness with Tundi range of Dhanbad. In the northern side, forest of Gawan block acts as a connected patch between Jamui and Koderma Forest.

Tourism

Giridih East forest division in its abode provides many picturesque destination, offering a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The town is known for its enchanting hills, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls. Parasnath Hill, the highest peak in Jharkhand, is a significant pilgrimage site for Jains.

It attracts pilgrims and tourists from far and wide. Although part of Wildlife sanctuary now, the madhuban forest provide continuity and connectedness to the same The Usri Falls and Khandoli Dam attract nature enthusiasts with their serene surroundings and opportunities for outdoor activities. The ancient Jain temples of Jharkhand, such as the Jharkhand Siddha Kshetra and Madhuban, showcase architectural brilliance and spiritual significance. Giridih offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city life, allowing visitors to rejuvenate amidst nature's splendor.

NTFP

The main requirements of the people from forests are fire-wood, poles and small timber and bamboo for house building and agriculture purpose and grasses and leaves for cattle fodder, there is a good demand for demand for bamboos for basket making industry also. Mahua flowers, Mahua seeds along with kendu and piar fruits provide the poorer villagers with a substitute for the sustenance and additional income.

The need for fencing material is very much because of because of the fact that all agriculture crops have to be protected from free roaming cattle. A considerable amount of forest produce in the form of poles is consumed by the farmers every year for fencing that is used as fuel wood in the subsequent year.