Saranda Forest
Saranda Forest Jharkhand — Asia's Largest Sal Forest, Home to Elephants & Ho Tribe
Asia's Largest Sal Forest — The Land of Seven Hundred Hills
About Saranda Forest
Saranda Forest is a protected wildlife sanctuary in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, covering approximately 820 sq km of dense sal forest. It is recognized as Asia's largest sal forest. The name 'Saranda' means 'Land of Seven Hundred Hills' in the Ho tribal language. According to the Jharkhand Forest Department, the forest is home to 28 mammal species, 60 bird species, 20 reptile species, and the endangered flying lizard — found nowhere else in the region.
Saranda Forest occupies the hills of southern West Singhbhum district, bordering Odisha, and is the ancestral homeland of the Ho tribal community. The forest is drained by the South Koel and Karo rivers — the Karo River is notable for its vivid reddish-brown hue caused by iron ore deposits in the surrounding hills. Kiriburu and Meghahatuburu, steel township hills maintained by SAIL inside the forest, offer some of the most breathtaking sunset views in eastern India — a 360-degree panorama of rolling sal-covered hills. The Tholkobad jungle trail and watch tower is the premier birdwatching and trekking point inside the forest.
Quick Info
October to March
West Singhbhum
nature
Frequently Asked Questions About Saranda Forest
Common questions about visiting Saranda Forest, Jharkhand
Saranda Forest is located in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, bordering Odisha. The nearest major city is Jamshedpur (approximately 60 km from Chaibasa, the main access town). The forest covers approximately 820 sq km of contiguous sal forest.
Saranda Forest is famous for being Asia's largest sal forest. It is home to 28 mammal species including wild elephants and leopards, 60 bird species, and the endangered flying lizard. The Kiriburu and Meghahatuburu sunset points, the iron-red Karo River, and the living culture of the Ho tribe make it one of Jharkhand's most unique eco-tourism destinations.
Saranda means 'Land of Seven Hundred Hills' in the Ho tribal language spoken by the indigenous Ho community who inhabit the forest.
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