Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department

Bihar is one of the most important states in the Hindi heartland of India.It is situated on the banks of the river Ganges. The river Ganges flows through the state and passes through districts of Buxar, Bhojpur, Chapra, Patna, Vaishali, Begusarai and Bhagalpur. In the north, the Bihar state has common borders with the Nepal. In the east, it is bound by west Bengal and in the west by Uttar Pradesh. In the south, it borders Jharkhand state, which was created after bifurcation of Bihar. The state of Bihar has got very fertile land in the Ganges river catchments but the areas in Southern Bihar is murramy and not very fertile. The Important rivers of the state are Ganga, Son,Koshi and Gandak.

Distribution of the Forests:

The state has got natural sal forests in the district of West Champaran in theterai 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.

Forest and wildlife Administration:

Principal Secretary, Environment and Forest Department is in charge of the Department in the Government of Bihar who functions under the Hon'ble Minister, Environment and Forest Department. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Bihar is in overall charge of the Department at Directorate Level. At Head quarter level, PCCF Development controls the Developmental activities of the Department. APCCF Wildlife is the Chief wildlife warden of the state and controls the wild life administration of the state. Working plan, extension and training matters are controlled by APCCF, Working Plan. Forest conservation Act and CAMPA Matters are controlled by APCCF CAMPA.

Environment Administration:

The Environmental related matters in the state are controlled at the level of Bihar Pollution Control Board and Principal Secretary, Environment and Forest and Advisor, Environment at the Government level.