Forest Resources of Jharkhand, Eastern
India: Socio-economic and Bio-ecological
Perspectives
Rahul Kumar and Purabi Saikia
Abstract Jharkhand is one of the biodiversity rich states of India because of its
origin, diverse physiographic and climatic conditions. It is well known due to its
tribal populations, mineral resources, and its vast forest resources. Forest resources
are considered as a commodity of high value across the state as most of the locals are
dependent for their daily subsistence needs mainly for food and fuelwood. Forests
play an important role in the economic, cultural and social lives and supporting rural
livelihoods and food security in Jharkhand. Jharkhand is home to tropical moist
deciduous and tropical dry deciduous forests and the dominant plant species like
Shorea robusta, Diospyros melanoxylon, Pterocarpus mersupium, Gloriosa superba,
Butea monosperma, Madhuca longifolia, etc. Commonly extracted forest produces
are timber, fuel wood, fodder, and a range of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)
such as fruits, nuts, edible fungi, vegetables, fish, animals and medicinal plants,
resins, essences, and a range of barks and fibers such as bamboo, rattans, palms
and grasses. Over-exploitation of useful plants, lack of knowledge and awareness
about the plants’ present population status, habitat alteration and specificity, narrow range of distribution, over-grazing are some of the severe threats endangering
the existing populations of important plants. Additionally, natural enemies such as
pathogens, herbivores and seed predators could substantially limit the abundance of
rare plant species in any given area. Collection of plant materials, especially of rare
and endangered plant species from natural habitats for various experimental purposes
by researchers, also poses a threat on their natural population in the wild. Realizing
the continuous depletion of these valuable resources, attempts should be made for
its large-scale cultivation and multiplication in order to meet its escalating demand
as well as long-term sustainability. There is an urgent need to carry out detailed
investigations on the geographical distribution patterns, habitat utilization patterns,
feeding ecology, and impact of herbivores on important plant populations.
Keywords Forests resources · Prospects · Challenges · Jharkhand
R. Kumar · P. Saikia (B)
Department of Environmental Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Brambe, Ranchi,
Jharkhand 835205, India
e-mail: purabi.saikia83@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
N. Roy et al. (eds.), Socio-economic and Eco-biological Dimensions
in Resource use and Conservation, Environmental Science and Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32463-6_4
61
India: Socio-economic and Bio-ecological
Perspectives
Rahul Kumar and Purabi Saikia
Abstract Jharkhand is one of the biodiversity rich states of India because of its
origin, diverse physiographic and climatic conditions. It is well known due to its
tribal populations, mineral resources, and its vast forest resources. Forest resources
are considered as a commodity of high value across the state as most of the locals are
dependent for their daily subsistence needs mainly for food and fuelwood. Forests
play an important role in the economic, cultural and social lives and supporting rural
livelihoods and food security in Jharkhand. Jharkhand is home to tropical moist
deciduous and tropical dry deciduous forests and the dominant plant species like
Shorea robusta, Diospyros melanoxylon, Pterocarpus mersupium, Gloriosa superba,
Butea monosperma, Madhuca longifolia, etc. Commonly extracted forest produces
are timber, fuel wood, fodder, and a range of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs)
such as fruits, nuts, edible fungi, vegetables, fish, animals and medicinal plants,
resins, essences, and a range of barks and fibers such as bamboo, rattans, palms
and grasses. Over-exploitation of useful plants, lack of knowledge and awareness
about the plants’ present population status, habitat alteration and specificity, narrow range of distribution, over-grazing are some of the severe threats endangering
the existing populations of important plants. Additionally, natural enemies such as
pathogens, herbivores and seed predators could substantially limit the abundance of
rare plant species in any given area. Collection of plant materials, especially of rare
and endangered plant species from natural habitats for various experimental purposes
by researchers, also poses a threat on their natural population in the wild. Realizing
the continuous depletion of these valuable resources, attempts should be made for
its large-scale cultivation and multiplication in order to meet its escalating demand
as well as long-term sustainability. There is an urgent need to carry out detailed
investigations on the geographical distribution patterns, habitat utilization patterns,
feeding ecology, and impact of herbivores on important plant populations.
Keywords Forests resources · Prospects · Challenges · Jharkhand
R. Kumar · P. Saikia (B)
Department of Environmental Sciences, Central University of Jharkhand, Brambe, Ranchi,
Jharkhand 835205, India
e-mail: purabi.saikia83@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020
N. Roy et al. (eds.), Socio-economic and Eco-biological Dimensions
in Resource use and Conservation, Environmental Science and Engineering,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-32463-6_4
61