FORESTRY, WILD LIFE

          The above forest area is 30% of the total geographical area of the district. The reserved forests of the district consist mostly of steep hills and narrow winding valleys. It is indeed a pity that most of the wide valleys which offer optimum conditions for the growth of fine Sal forest are not a part of the reserved forest area.

          It occurs in parts of Boula, Atei, Kalapat, Santoshpur and Barabank.

          This is found on exposed hill slopes where the soil is shallow and not fertile, mostly in Karo blocks.

          This type comprises the forests growing on flat-topped hills which are a characteristic feature of Keonjhar.

          It is widely distributed in Keonjhar especially in the Sidhamath and Karo blocks.

          It occurs in Sidhamatha and Karo blocks.

          Typical costal sal is called   Santal Sal. it is mostly found in the Boula and Santoshpur blocks. The sal is mixed with Asan and Kurum.

          Tigers (Bagha) are found in Rebana and Kalapat blocks. There is no information about their exact number. There are reports of cattle lifting.

          Kalarapatra Bagha are quite common in Santoshpur, Atei, Kalapat, Rebana and Barabanka reserved forests.Most of the villages are in close vicinity of the forest and so blocks often complain of interference and lifting of small domestic animals in their area by the leopard.

          Elephants are frequently seen in small herds in the forests like Boula, Kalapat , Rebana , Atei and occasionally in Sidhamatha and Karo reserved forests. Though the herds move from place to place it seems they have a permanent habitat in Boula, Atei, Rebana and Kalapat. The elephants usually damage agricultural crops and create occasional havoc in the mining huts and in small villages in the periphery of the forest blocks.