Saranda forest

{{Infobox forest

| name = Saranda Forest

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| map = India Jharkhand#India

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| map_caption = Location in Jharkhand

| relief = yes

| location = West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand, India

| coordinates = {{coord|22.2|N|85.35|E|display=inline,title}}

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| area = {{convert|820|km2}}

| status = Reserve Forest

| established = 1882

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| authority = Jharkhand Forest Department

| species = Shorea robusta

| website = http://www.sarandaforest.in/

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Saranda forest is a dense forest in the hilly region of West Singhbhum, East Singhbhum, Saraikela district in the Indian state of Jharkhand. This area used to be the private hunting reserve of the Singh Deo family (the erstwhile rulers of Saraikela). The forest covers an area of 820 km².{{cite web | url = http://www.india9.com/i9show/Saranda-Forest-16431.htm | title = Saranda Forest | accessdate = 2008-03-06 | last = | first = | publisher = india9.com }} Saranda (Serengda) literally means "700 hills" in local language.{{cite web

| url = http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-_lh4Bb0ibqvWvz6z2OwBn_ORgqfEjydBmA--?cq=1&p=26 | title = Forest in the Light and Shade | accessdate = 2008-03-06 | last = | first = | publisher = yahoo.com}}

The perennial rivers, Karo and Koina, pass through these forested areas supporting a diverse floral and faunal resource. Sal (Shorea robusta) is the most important tree in the forest. Although sal is a deciduous tree and sheds its leaves in early summer, the forest undergrowth is generally evergreen, which has such trees as Mangoes, Jamun, Jackfruit, and Piar. Other important trees are Mahua, kusum, Tilai, Harin hara (Armossa rohitulea), Gular (Ficus glomerata), and Asan.Prasad, Hem Chandra, Bihar, 1983/2003, p. 13, National Book Trust, New Delhi, {{ISBN|81-237-0151-9}}

The reserved forests hosts many animals. Wild elephants are common in Saranda and Porahat forests. It is an important overlapping habitat of the elephants from adjacent Kedunjhar (Keonjhar) district of Odisha. Herds of Sambar and Chital roam about the forests. Bison is still found. Tigers were never numerous. Leopards are more common.Sir John Houlton, Bihar: The Heart of India, 1949, p. 169, Orient Longmans, Kolkata.

The iron ore mining towns including Gua, Chiria, Kiriburu and Noamundi. The area was previously disturbed by Maoist and Naxal influences, but problems have subsided in recent years, and it has turned out to be a major tourist hub. There are many tourist places in the Manoharpur region. The peak season between October and March is now brimming with tourists.{{Cite web|url=http://www.uniindia.com/asia-s-biggest-sal-reserve-awaits-your-arrival/developing-india-mirror/fullstory/938327.html|title=Asia's biggest sal reserve awaits your arrival}}

Thalkobad is a scenic village at a height of {{convert|550|m|abbr=on}} in the heart of the forest.{{cite web

| url = http://www.india9.com/i9show/Saranda-Forest-16431.htm | title = Saranda Forest | accessdate = 2008-03-06 | last = | first = | publisher = india9.com }} Thalkobad is about {{convert|89|km|abbr=on}} from Chakradharpur, {{convert|46|km|abbr=on}} from Manoharpur, and about {{convert|160|km|abbr=on}} from Jamshedpur.