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Jharkhand - In Nature's Lap

The Jharkhand state was carved out of Bihar and came into being on November 15, 2000. Having an area of 79,714 sq km, the new state has the potential to be developed as the financially most viable entity in the whole country owing to its vast mineral resources and sound industrial infrastructure. The state comprises Ranchi, Gumla, Lohardagga, East Singhbhum, West Singhbhum, Hazaribagh, Giridih, Koderma, Chatra, Dhanbad, Bokaro, Palamau, Garhwa, Dumka, Deoghar, Godda, Pakur, Sahebganj, Simdega, Latehar, Saraikela, Kharsawan and Jamtara districts. The new state is bordered by Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and West Bengal to its north, west, south and east respectively.

The Jharkhand’s population is 2,69,09,428 according to the provisional data of Census 2001. In 1991 census, population of this area was 2,18,43,911. Its population growth rate in one decade has been 23.19 per cent. The population density in the state is 338. The sex ratio in the state too has shown an upward trend. The female literacy rate improved from 25.52 per cent in 1991 to 39.38 per cent in 2001. There is a vast language diversity in the state. The main languages spoken in Jharkhand are Santhali, Mundari, Kurukh, Khortha, Nagpuria, Sadri, Khariya, Panchparagnia, Ho, Malto, Karmali, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali. In some pockets, Oriya, Maithili and Bhojpuri are also spoken.

Sarhul, Karma, Sohrai, Badna, Tusu, Id, Christmas, Holi and Dushehra are the festivals celebrated in the state. The folk music of the state comprises Akhariya Domkach, Dohari Domkach, Janani Jhumar, Mardana Jhumar, Faguwa, Udasi, Pawas, Daidhara, Pahilsanjha, Adhratiya, Vinasariya, Pratkali and Jhmta. Jharkhand’s folk dances include Paika, Chaw, Jadur, Karma, Nachni, Natua, Agni, Choukara, Santhal, Jamda, Ghalwari, Matha, Shorai and Lurisayro. Santhali Bhittichitra, Oraon Bhittichitra, Oraon Bhittichitra and Jado Patiya are the paintings of the state.

The state’s total area is 79.7 lakh hectares. Of this, the cultivable land is 38 lakh hectares and the present net sown area is about 18.04 lakh hectares. The net irrigated area is only 1.57 lakh hectares which is 8 per cent of the total sown area. More than 29 per cent land is covered by forests. On an average, twentyfive per cent of its land remains covered as sown areas.

The nascent state has an enormous potential for exploitation of coal, mica and other minerals particularly in Singhbhum, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Koderma and Dhanbad. Already a large number of industrial units based on these minerals are operating in these areas. Many more ancillary industrial units can be established in and around Bokaro, Jamshedpur, Hazaribagh, Ranchi and Dhanbad using the raw materials in the form of by-products of the industries located in these districts. There is ample scope for manufacturing cane and bamboo products in Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Singhbhum and Jamshedpur districts. There is also enough scope for development of artisans in metal ware, stone carving, handlooms, wood works and leaf plate-making activities. A lot needs to be done in transport sector also.

An assessment of the water resources in the state has been carried out by the second State Irrigation Commission. The commision has identified 16 river basins which can be harnessed though major, medium and minor irrigation schemes. The Commission identified separate potential for reservoir schemes and lift irrigation schemes.

It is proposed to take up a large number of schemes under irrigation of the lands to set up watershed development projects. The main rivers flowing in the state are Damodar, Mayurakshi, Barakar, Koyal, Sankh, Son, Auranga, More, Karo, Bansloi, South Koel, Kharkai, Swarna Rekha, Ganga, Gumani and Batane.

Horticulture is one of the important sub-sectors of agriculture, having ample scope for expansion in Jharkhand. The total area occupied by various plantation and horticulture (P&H) crop in the state is about 2.57 lakh hectares with an estimated total production of 37.85 lakh tonnes. Different kinds of fruit are grown in Jharkhand. Considering the agro-climatic suitability and future prospects, the state government has programmed to implement various schemes/programmes for promoting this sector. A major thrust is being given for bringing additional areas under various plantation and horticulture crops and enhancing the productivity of the yielding crops. Besides supply of protein-rich food, the fisheries sector also has vast potential to provide employment to the people in the rural areas.

Jharkhand is endowed with vast fresh water resources in the form of tanks, ponds and reservoirs. These water bodies are yet to be exploited for commercial aquaculture. Thus, there is an abundant scope for horizontal and vertical expansion of fish culture in the state. The production of 10.73 lakh litres of milk, 661.4 million eggs and 7.04 lakh kgs of wool in Jharkhand indicates that this sector makes a sizeable contribution to the state’s economy.

Most of the dairy development activities in Jharkhand are taken care by Dairy Development Directorate. It promotes milk producers’ unions in the districts of Ranchi, Lohardagga, Palamau, Gumla, Chaibasa, East Singhbum, Hazaribagh and Bokaro. The directorate helps in milk collection from rural areas through milk cooperative societies and marketing in the urban areas, establishment of mini-dairies and provision of technical inputs extension services.

The state has a forage seed production farm at Chatra. There is also a feed plant in Ranchi which manufactures and supplies adult cattle feed (ACF) and bypass protein feed (BPF) to the farmers on cost basis. There are dairy plants at Jamshedpur, Bokaro and Ranchi and 13 milk-chilling plants in different districts of the state under the Dairy Development Directorate.

With a view of having qualitative and quantitative achievement of wool and mutton, a new breeding policy has been adopted. Under the policy, selective breeding and cross-breeding programme have been launched at Chatra where shahabadi ewes are crossed with rambouillet breed of USA. Besides, corriedale breed of ram was also used for the purpose. In addition, grading up programme of shahabad ewes with corriedale ram has also been taken up. There are two wool collection centres in East Singhbhum districts.

Dumka, Deoghar and Godda districts account for higher population of goats followed by the districts of South Chhotanagpur Division and Hazaribagh Division. Selective breeding with beetal breed and grading up with Jamunapri goats had been taken up in the state. There are three goats farms-one in Chatra Beetal breed and two in Ranchi and Sahebganj for Black Bengal breed respectively. Pigs are mostly concentrated in the plateau region of Chhotanagpur. The tribal people have a special interest and aptitude for pig husbandry. During the 8th plan (1992-97), a scheme for upgrading of country pigs with boars of exotic breed, strengthening of pig breeding farm and publicity of bacon factory product was taken up.

Although Jharkhand is endowed with vast and rich natural resources, 80 per cent of its population reside in 32620 villages. They depend mainly on agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood.

As the state is new, the tourism policy is in the process of being evolved. There are a large number of natural places unspoilt by any human intervention. The nature-loving people will find lush green forests, pollution-free environs, calm open fields and a vast flora and fauna of Jharkhand quite attractive. There is a large number of rest-houses under its forest department, irrigation department and other departments that are available for brief stay. Many small hotels are also coming up.