Wildlife & Parks
Bihar GK · वन्यजीव और उद्यान
📋Quick Overview
Bihar has limited forest cover (about 7% of total area) compared to other states, primarily because it lost its mineral-rich forested areas to Jharkhand in 2000. However, Valmiki Tiger Reserve (West Champaran) is Bihar's crown jewel — the only tiger reserve in the state. Bihar also has several important wildlife sanctuaries and bird sanctuaries including Kanwar Lake — Asia's largest freshwater oxbow lake.
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Valmiki Tiger Reserve (West Champaran) is the only tiger reserve in Bihar. It covers 899.38 sq km, is part of the Terai arc landscape, and is adjacent to Nepal's Royal Chitwan National Park. It is named after sage Valmiki, author of the Ramayana.
📖Protected Areas of Bihar
| Protected Area | District | Area (sq km) | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) | Paschim Champaran | 899.38 | Bihar's ONLY tiger reserve; also Valmiki NP (335.65 sq km); Gandak river |
| Valmiki National Park | Paschim Champaran | 335.65 | Core area of VTR; dense Sal forests; tiger, elephant, leopard |
| Gautam Buddha Wildlife Sanctuary | Gaya | 138 | Near Bodh Gaya; bear, wolf, deer; Mahua trees |
| Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary | Munger | 681.99 | Hot springs (Bhimbandh), diverse flora/fauna; Son river adjacency |
| Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary | Kaimur | 1,342 | Largest WLS in Bihar; wolf habitat; Kaimur plateau; Son river |
| Udaypur Wildlife Sanctuary | Paschim Champaran | 8.74 | Near Nepal border; small sanctuary; deer, wild boar |
| Kanwar Lake Bird Sanctuary | Begusarai | 63.11 | Asia's largest freshwater oxbow lake; migratory birds; Ramsar potential site |
📖State Animal & Bird
- •State Animal: Gaur (Indian Bison / Bos gaurus) — world's largest wild bovine; found in Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
- •State Bird: House Sparrow (Passer domesticus / Gauriya) — common urban bird, declared to raise awareness about its declining population.
- •State Tree: Peepal (Ficus religiosa); State Flower: Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata).
📝Key Wildlife Facts
- •Valmiki Tiger Reserve: Named after sage Valmiki (author of Ramayana) who is said to have composed Ramayana in this forest region.
- •Kanwar Lake (Begusarai): Asia's largest freshwater oxbow lake — important wintering ground for migratory waterfowl (Siberian crane, bar-headed goose).
- •Bihar lost most of its forest/wildlife area when Jharkhand was carved out in November 2000.
- •Rajgir Zoological Park: Major zoo in Nalanda district — popular tourist attraction near Nalanda ruins.