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Physical Setting
Bihar is lying approximately between 21o58'10'' and 27o31'15''N latitudes and 82o 19'50'' and 88o17'40''E longitudes in the lower and middle Gangetic region extending 483 Km from west to east. This state embraces some of the most fertile lands of India. Bihar, squeezed in between West Bengal, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh, reaches up to the Himalayas in the north and is completely land locked. Bihar is bounded on the north by Nepal, on the south by Jharkhand, on the east by West Bengal and on the west by Uttar Pradesh.
Bihar gets the worst of the cold and the worst of the heat and plenty of floods. Northern portion of Bihar is almost entirely a level tract, while the south is wooded and hilly. Bihar has a number of rivers, the most important of which is the Ganga. The river Ganga flows right across it from west to east. North Bihar is extremely fertile, the land being watered by the rivers Sarayu, Gandak and Ganga. The other rivers are the Sone, Poonpoon, Falgu, Karmanasa, Durgawati, Kosi, Ghaghara etc.
Cultural and Historical Background
Bihar was the
region where Buddhism evolved and finds mention in the Vedas, Puranas, Epics
etc. This was one of the most remarkable aspect that makes it an important
region that added to the diverse cultures of the Indian Union. Human settlement
in this region dates back to the prehistoric period and they led a nomadic life.
Bihar too forms the part of the Gangetic plain which was inhabited b
y
people of different races. Great rulers of the state before the Christian era
were Bimbisara, Udayin who founded the city of Pataliputra. The famous Mauryan
emperors along with the Guptas who under Ashoka had their capital at Patiliputra.
Smaller dynasties like that of the Sungas, Kanva and the Kushanas influenced the
regions of Bihar. During the Medieval period Bihar witnessed the Muslim invasion
which was followed by the rule of local Rajput clans. The first Muslim conqueror
was Mohammad Bin Bakhtiar Khalji. The Tughluqs and then the Mughals followed the
Khalijis.
The Mughals established a prosperous atmosphere in Bihar. With the downfall of the Mughals, the Nawabs from Bengal exercised their rule. The East India Company established its sway over Bihar after the Battle of Buxar in 1764. The different British attitudes and practices towards the people led to migration to lands like Africa, South East Asia etc. Under the British, Bihar was first a part of Bengal Presidency. In 1911 the two states of Orissa and Bihar were separated from Bengal. In 1936,they became separate provinces. A part of Bihar comprising mainly forest tracks of Chhotanagpur plateau and Santhal paragana, the homeland of the tribals became a separate state Jharkhand on November 15th, 2000.
Climate
The cold weather commences early in November and comes to an end in the middle of March. The hot weather then sets in and lasts till the middle of June. Soon after this the rainy season commences and continues till the end of September, the beginning of this season occurs when a storm from the Bay of Bengal passes over Bihar. The commencement of monsoon may be as early as the last week of May or as the first or second week of July. The climate in the cold weather is pleasant. The days are bright and warm and the sun is not too hot. As soon as the sun sets the temperature falls and the heat of the day yields place to a sharp bracing cold. The mean temperature in November all over Bihar varies from 19.6oC to 22.2oC. The mean temperature in Gaya and Patna in December is 17oC and 18.2oC respectively. January is the coldest month in Bihar. The mean minimum temperature varies from 7.5oC to 10.5oC though some places like Netarhat record much lower temperatures than 7.5oC.
The highest temperature is often registered in May which is the hottest month in the state. Like the rest of the northern India, Bihar also experiences dust-storms, thunder-storms and dust raising winds during the hot season. Dust storms having a velocity of 48-64 Km/Hour are most frequent in May and with second maximum in April and June. The hot winds (loo) of Bihar plains blow during April and May with an average velocity of 8-16 Km/hour. This hot wind greatly affects human comfort during this season. The rainy season begins in June. The rainiest months are July and August. The rains are the gifts of the south west monsoon. There are in Bihar three distinct areas where rainfall exceeds 1800mm. Two of them lie on northern and north-western wings of the state and the third lies in the Netarhat pat. The south-west monsoon normally withdraws from Bihar in the first week of October. An important feature of the retreating monsoon season in Bihar is the invasion of tropical cyclones originating in the Bay of Bengal at about 12oN latitude. Bihar is also influenced by the typhoons originating in the South China Sea. The maximum frequency of the tropical cyclones in Bihar is during September-November especially during the asterism called hathiya. These cyclones are essential for the maturing of paddy, and are required for the moistening of the soil for the cultivation of rabi crops.
Resource and Biodiversity Base
Natural Resources
Bihar lies in the tropical to sub tropical region. Rainfall here is the most significant factor in determining the nature of vegetation. Bihar has a monsoon climate with an average annual rainfallof 1200 mm.
Forests
The sub Himalayan foothillof someshwar and Dun rangesin Champaran constitute another belt of moist deciduous forests. These also consists of scrub, grass and reeds. Here the rainfall is above 1600 mm and thus promotes luxuriant Sal forests in the favoured areas. The hot and dry summer gives the deduous forests. The most important trees are Shorea Robusta (Sal), Shisham, Cedrela Toona, Khair, and Semal. This type of forests also occurs in Saharasa and Purnia districts.
Protected Forest Area in Bihar
| Name of Park / Sanctuary |
Place /District |
National Park / Sanctuary |
| 1. Valmiki National Park | West Champaran | National Park |
| 2. Sanjay Gandhi Botanical Garden | Patna | Botanical Garden |
| 3. Valmiki Sanctuary | West Champaran | Sanctuary |
| 4. Bhimbandh Sanctuary | Monghyr | Sanctuary |
| 5. Rajgir Sanctuary | Nalanda | Sanctuary |
| 6. Kaimur Sanctuary | Rohtas | Sanctuary |
| 7. Gautambudha Sanctuary | Gaya | Sanctuary |
| 8. Udaypur Sanctuary | West Champaran | Sanctuary |
| 9. Nagi Dam Bird Sanctuary | Jamui | Sanctuary |
| 10. Nakti Dam Bird Sanctuary | Jamui | Sanctuary |
| 11.Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin | Bhagalpur | Sanctuary |
| 12. Kanwar Jheel Bird Sanctuary | Begusarai | Sanctuary |
| 13. Gogabil Pakshi Vihar | Katihar | Closed Area |
| 14. Kusheshwarsthan | Darbhanga | Closed Area |
| 15. Barela S.A.Z.S Sanctuary | Vaishali | Sanctuary |
District Wise Forest Coverage of Bihar
(Including Road/Canal side plantation)
| District |
Forest Area |
District |
Forest Area |
|
| Arraria |
13.05 |
Madhubani |
|
|
| Aurangabad |
538.63 |
Munger,Lakhisarai,Shekpura |
653.19 |
|
| Begusarai |
40.20 |
Muzaffarpur |
42.62 |
|
| Bhagalpur,Banka |
453.88 |
Nalanda |
46.40 |
|
| Bhojpur,Buxar |
36.46 |
Nawada |
697.43 |
|
| Champaran(East) |
0.70 |
Patna |
21.56 |
|
| Champaran(West) |
917.45 |
Purnia |
77.60 |
|
| Darbhanga |
56.80 |
Rohtas,Kaimur |
1,797.62 |
|
| Gaya, Jehanabad |
322.42 |
Saharsa |
60.40 |
|
| Gopalganj |
47.22 |
Samastipur |
46.62 |
|
| Jamui |
673.31 |
Saran |
44.88 |
|
| Katihar |
|
Sitamarhi,Sheohar |
46.12 |
|
| Khagaria |
50.10 |
Siwan |
50.72 |
|
| Kishanganj |
36.40 |
Supaul |
|
|
| Madhepura |
38.16 |
Vaishali |
50.70 |
Fertile Land
The topography of Bihar can be easily described as a fertile alluvial plain occupying the Gangetic Valley. The plain extends from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to a few miles south of the river Ganges as it flows through the State from the west to the east. Rich farmland and lush orchards extend throughout the state. Following are the major crops: paddy, wheat, lentils, sugarcane, jute (hemp, related to the marijuana plant, but a source of tough fibers and "gunny bags"). Also, cane grows wild in the marshes of West Champaran. The principal fruits are: mangoes, banana, jack fruit and litchis. This is one the very few areas outside China which produces litchi.
Water Resources
Water like ground and mineral resources is of great significance as it provides means of drinking water for man and animals, irrigation for agriculture, industrial uses, production of hydro-electricity, transportation and recreation etc. The importance of water is so immense that the people in ancient times worshipped it.
Bihar is richly endowed with water resources, both the ground water resource and the surface water resource. Not only by rainfall but it has considerable water supply from the rivers which flow within the territory of the State. Ganga is the main river which is joined by tributaries with their sources in the Himalayas. Some of them are Saryu (Ghaghra), Gandak, Budhi Gandak, Bagmati, Kamla-Balan and Mahananda.
There are some other rivers that start from the platue area and meet in Ganges or its associate rivers after flowing towards north. Some of them are Sone, Uttari Koyal, Punpun, Panchane andKarmnasha.
There are several rivers in Bihar which contribute a lot to the peoples of Bihar. These rivers make the water available for irrigation purpose and also help in generating the hydro-thermal energy for the state. Apart from this they provide a medium for water transport, provide fishes for fishery industry and enrich the natural resources of state in many other ways.
All the above rivers have their impact on the Bihar plain. State also has non-exhaustible source of ground water which is in use for drinking purposes, irrigation and industries.
Mineral Production 1999-2000
|
Mineral |
Quantity |
|
Limestone |
4,78,000 MT |
|
Mica (Crude) |
53 Tonnes |
|
Pyrites |
9539 Tonnes |
|
Quartzite |
14865 Tonnes |
|
Steatite |
945 Tonnes |
NATIONAL PARKS
VALMIKI NATIONAL PARK
Valmiki National Park located in the West Champaran district of Bihar bordering Nepal occupies the core area of 335.64 sq.km. The species found in the park include tiger, sloth bear, wolf, various species of deer, serow, leopard, python, peafowl, chitals, sambars, nilgais, leopards, hyenas, Indian civets, Jungle cats, Hog deer, wild dogs etc.
Kodarma Wildlife Sanctuary
The Kodarma Wildlife Sanctuary on the Patna-Ranchi road provides opportunity for watching tigers, bears and different varieties of deer. The Madampur Sanctuary situated in the north-west corner of Champaran district is approachable by a metalled road from Bettiah and from Bagha station on the N.E railway. The animals to be seen here are tigers, sambars, leopards, spotted and barking deer, pigs and fairly large variety of ground and water birds.
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Tourism in Bihar Since the inception of its history which dates back to 500 year ago Bihar has been recognized on cradle of movements in the field of art, culture and religion literature & human rights a postles of peace Lord Buddha, Mahavir, Great Guru Govind Singh and Mahatma Gandhi and great sufie saint further heighened with the visit of great chinese tourist Fahien, who has distinctly narrated the attaintments of the University at that time took birth on this land. It is the land on which the earliest seeds of democracy took roots and however hossemed into the form of governence with the advent of Lord, it withessed a cultural renaissance as in the preachings of the Lord Buddha was seen the right answer to the woos & suffering of the rest humanity at the hands of loot, tyranny & boilance. People embraced Buddhism and the echest holiest sermon Buddham Saranam Gachhami sent the air reached beyond the boundaries of our country and seat of leaning at Nalanda, where students outside the boundaries of our country joined the course got acknowledged the world over. Lord Buddha delivered his preachings at this place of learning. The glory of Nalanda gate. Bihar has basked in the glory of Magadh Empire in the period of Mauryans, Guptas and Pal, Vikramshila University, whose ruins speak of best as this glorious deat of learning was constructed during Pal dynasty. The state of Bihar lies along the eastern Gangetic Plains in North India, A land that has been the passing of many dynasties of ancient India, Bihar has also been the birth place of two treat theologies -Buddhism and Jainism. As a place of pilgrimage for centuries, even the name Bihar is desired from 'Vihar' as a Buddhist monasteries, Reflecting its ancient history, Bihar has some of the finest monuments of Hindu and Mughal architecture. And through the state flows the majestic river Ganga a saga of events of centuries old civilization. The scenery and climate of the State range from the foot hills of Himalayas, over the vast and fertile plains of the Ganga to the hills, forests and wide plateau. The land and people, fairs and festivals, arts and crafts, flora and fauna of Bihar, are all epitomes of diversity, which enchant and thrill tourists. Bihar offers to tourists a variegated wealth of Indian Civilization, history and culture compled with enqeuisite scenic beauties and wild life within its precinet are located, places like Rajgir and Patliputra, ancient capital of mighty magadhan empire, Vaishali-the first republican state the world; Bodhgaya where lord Buddha attained the suprime enlightenment, Nalanda-the great seat of international learning and Patna Saheb-the birth place of Guru Govind Singh, the last Guru of the Sikh.
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emple
in the 2nd century. This temple lies on a high and broad plinth. It has a
soaring 54 meters high pyramidal spire with a square cross-section. It has
a image of Buddha signifying the pose of enlightenment. The entrance of the
temple has torana or ornamental archway. The south side of the temple has a
lotus pond. The original 'Bodhi tree' or Pipal (Ficus religiosa) was said
to have been destroyed by Ashoka. The present tree behind the temple is
believed to have grown from a sapling of the original tree. The Vajrasila (a
red stone slab) under the tree marks, the place where Gautama sat in
meditation. The Animeshlochana is the sacred spot where Buddha stood to
gaze in gratitude at the Bodhi tree for a week. Pilgrims from Tibet, Thai,
Bhutan, Japan, China and Burma have built their own temples here. A 20
meters tall Buddha statue built in stone can be seen at the end of the road,
beyond the Japanese temple.
KA
PILLAR