prelims pointers for 8 February 2026

Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

The Jharkhand tourism minister recently launched a jungle safari and laid the foundation for 30 eco-cottages at Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary in East Singhbhum.

About Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary

• It is located near Jamshedpur, in the East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.
• It is situated around the Dalma Hills on the Chottanagpur Plateau.
• The Sanctuary gets its name from the “Dalma mai” a local goddess who is revered and worshipped by the local people and the people of adjoining villages of Dalma. 
• Inaugurated in 1975, it contains a significant population of Indian Elephants.
• The terrain here is hilly and rocky, with dense forests and grasslands. 
• The entire forest of Dalma Sanctuary falls in the catchment of the Subarnarekha River and Dimna Lake of Jamshedpur.
• It features two prominent waterfalls, Sitaguldi and Dassam.
• A temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as the Dalma Temple, is inside the cover.
• Vegetation: 
  • The forests of Dalma come under the category “Dry peninsular Sal” and “Northern dry mixed deciduous Forest“.
  •  Most of the Dalma forests shed leaves in the summer and attain their full bloom at the onset of monsoon.
• Flora: 
  • Medicinal plants like Ananatmula, Satawari, Sarpgandha, etc. are abundant in the sanctuary. 
  • Various types of trees, climbers, herbs, shrubs, and orchids are found here. 
• Fauna:  
  • Besides elephants, the sanctuary has a considerable population of other wildlife like barking deer, wild boar, giant squirrel, porcupine, pangolin, sloth bear, etc. 
  • Commonly seen birds in the sanctuary are falcons, golden orioles, Indian tree pies, paradise fly catchers, grey hornbills, Indian peafowl, etc.

Source: TOI