Tundi Forest Reserve, Giridih

About Tundi Forest Reserve, Giridih

Tundi Forest occupies a section of the Giridih plateau where the land rises and becomes less suitable for agriculture, leaving the sal and mixed forest intact across a significant area of rolling hills and stream valleys. The forest has the characteristic composition of the northern Chotanagpur plateau — sal dominant at higher elevations, mahua and palash on the slopes, and dense bamboo in the stream valleys. The wildlife in Tundi includes the characteristic mammals of the Jharkhand forests: leopards use the forest as a corridor and are occasionally tracked by Forest Department staff; sambar and spotted deer are relatively common in the forest interior; jackal and wild pig are frequently encountered. Large reptiles including monitor lizards are present in the rocky stream sections. Birding in Tundi is productive through the cooler months. The forest holds a full complement of resident woodland species — hornbills, drongos, woodpeckers, barbets, and sunbirds — plus seasonal migrants in winter. The stream sections attract kingfishers, herons, and occasional waders in the dry season. Access is on forest tracks through the Tundi range with Forest Department permission. A range forest officer guide is available through the Giridih Forest Division and is recommended for maximising wildlife observation. The forest is most rewarding on early morning visits when mammals are active before retreating to cover.