Saranda forest located in the West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand is the largest Sal (Shorea Robusta) forest in Asia. The forest also spreads a little in the Kedunjhar district of Odisha as well.
The area also has a historical significance as it was a favorite hunting destination of Singh Deo family, the erstwhile royal family of Saraikela.
It covers an area of 820 sq km and is home to a variety of flora and fauna. Some of the animals found are Wild Elephants, Bisons, Sambar, and Chittal. Tigers and Leopards are also spotted sometimes.
Besides Sal, some other trees that are found in abundance are Mango, Java Plum (Jamun), Jackfruit, Piar, Mahua, Kusum, Tilai, Harin Hara (Armossa Rohitulea), Gular (Ficus Glomerata), and Asan.
Mainly two rivers Karo and Koina flow through the forest which adds more to the beauty. The forest is rich in iron ore and more than 1100 hectares of virgin forests are under iron-ore mining leases.
Known for its jaw-dropping beauty, Saranda is also a major ‘Mining Tourism’ destination of India. Some of the places to visit are Thalkobad, Gua, Chiria, Kiriburu, Meghahatuburu, and Noamundi.
Read more about Kiriburu and Meghahatuburu
Here are some breathtaking pictures of Saranda forest
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Kiriburu (@kiriburu_) on
Saranda Forest in #Jharkhand harbours a dense #forest known for Koena river, Ligirada Swamp, Toybo falls, deciduous saal trees & evergreen undergrowth. The endangered flying #lizards & wild #elephants add to its allure attracting tourists & #wildlife lovers.@VisitJharkhand pic.twitter.com/7l9A063NXj
— Parimal Nathwani (@mpparimal) June 4, 2019
Want to experience winter fog in summers?? Visit Kiriburu in Saranda Forest Division, Jharkhand for this enchanting experience. @tourismgoi @VisitJharkhand @jh_tourism pic.twitter.com/70rWZVAoIT
— Jharkhand Forest Department (@Forest_Dept_GOJ) July 7, 2019
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Stella Selvam (@stellaselvam) on
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View this post on Instagramसारंडा की खूबसूरत वादियां.। #naturephotography #naturelovers #nikonphotography #jharkhandtourism
A post shared by Pritam Barla (@pritam_rex) on
Just WOW !!
— Chittaranjan Kar (@chittrakar) August 2, 2018
Foggy weather in
Meghahatuburu, today morning 8 AM #Kiriburu #tour #travel pic.twitter.com/Y56H0bHUmo
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Aranyo Mukhopadhyay (@aranyomukhopadhyay) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Akash Bhattacharyya (@classic_rider_wb) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Kiriburu (@kiriburu_) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Kiriburu (@kiriburu_) on
Description of Jharkhand remains incomplete if there is no mention of Kiriburu hills, Land of Seven Hundred Hills. Known for its iron deposits the land has a vegetation which grasps the attention at one go. Dense green Saranda forest adds to its natural beauty.@incredibleindia pic.twitter.com/icjJisvDgO
— WE ARE RANCHI (@WeAreRanchi) May 30, 2018
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Stella Selvam (@stellaselvam) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Kiriburu (@kiriburu_) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Kiriburu (@kiriburu_) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Kiriburu (@kiriburu_) on
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View this post on InstagramA post shared by The Teacher (@ride_travel_wid_anirban) on
Few clicks from unexplored parts of Odisha. Bada Ghagara and Kiriburu in Kenujhar district pic.twitter.com/qi5mfE4CXm
— Dibyasundar Nayak (@dibyabttb) July 16, 2018
Heaven is here. Mansoon in #Kiriburu #Odisha #Jharkhand
— Chittaranjan Kar (@chittrakar) July 16, 2016
Photo by : Sailesh #NatureLovers #tour #travel pic.twitter.com/sUMSgaF25t
Saranda forest is a dense forest in the hilly region of West Singhbhum district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. pic.twitter.com/FRPHfJglRa
— WE ARE RANCHI (@WeAreRanchi) June 5, 2018
River Karrow in #Saranda forest near Kiriburu Hilltop, 40 Kms. from #Barbil #Odisha #Travel #Nature @NatGeoTravel pic.twitter.com/iw6sArZEmU
— Chittaranjan Kar (@chittrakar) May 6, 2015
@_thealternative Spent 10yrs in Meghahatuburu (in Jharkhand)~"land of clouds"~small town in the hills #untravel 1/2 pic.twitter.com/Lx0uxI0gGT
— Ramya Prayaga (@Ramya152) March 11, 2015