Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary, Wildlife sanctuary in Dalma Hills, India
Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Dalma Hills of Jharkhand state, covering forested slopes and rocky ridges that rise above the surrounding plains. The terrain includes upland valleys, narrow gorges, and open clearings where visitors can spot deer grazing and sometimes hear the rustle of leopards moving through the undergrowth.
The region was formally declared a protected area in 1976, after conservationists and authorities recognized the need to preserve habitat for migrating elephant herds. Over the following decades, several buffer zones were established to prevent poaching and safeguard the natural movement corridors used by wildlife.
The name Dalma comes from the hill range that shapes the area, a place local communities have long considered sacred and tied to their spiritual traditions. Visitors today can still find small temples and shrines along the forest paths, where worshippers light incense and leave flower offerings.
Access is usually from Jamshedpur, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) away, which serves as the starting point for day trips into the reserve. The best months to visit are October through March, when temperatures are cooler and the forest trails become easier to walk.
Large elephant groups move through the area each year, following ancient migration routes that have existed for centuries. The animals travel between different forest zones in search of water and food, a movement that visitors can often observe from a safe distance.
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