Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary (Munger, Bihar)
- Location: Southwest of Munger district, Bihar
- Area: 681.99 km²
- Terrain: Hills, undulating tracts of Kharagpur Hills
- Distance:
- 50 km from district HQ
- 20 km from Jamui Railway Station
- 200 km from Patna Airport
- Geographical Position:
- South of Ganga River
- Northern edge of Chota Nagpur Plateau
- West of Santhal Pargana
Key Features
- Hot water springs: Bhimbandh, Sita Kund, Rishi Kund
- Maintain nearly same temperature year-round
- Bhimbandh springs: 52–65°C, discharge 0.84–1.12 m³/sec
- Potential site for geothermal energy
- Natural waterfall surrounded by hills on three sides
- Trekking trails and camping opportunities
- Rich biodiversity: leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, birds
Cultural Significance
- Named after Bhim (Pandava) from Mahabharata
- Believed Bhim constructed a dam (bandh) here → Bhimbandh
Valmiki Tiger Reserve (West Champaran, Bihar)
- Bihar’s only tiger reserve
- Location: Northwestern Bihar, Gangetic Plains bio-geographic zone
- Terrain: Combination of bhabar and terai tracts
- Name Origin: Champa + Aranya = Forest of Champa trees
Biodiversity
- Fauna: Bengal tigers, leopards, 53 mammals, 145 birds, 26 reptiles, 13 amphibians
- Adventure & wildlife tourism: safaris, birdwatching
Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary
- Location: Ganga River, 50 km stretch from Sultanganj to Kahalgaon
- Established: 1991
- Significance:
- Conservation of endangered Gangetic dolphins
- One of four freshwater dolphin species globally
- Features:
- Boat rides, guided tours
- Dolphins: blind, use echolocation, long slender snout with visible teeth
- Distribution in South Asia: Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus rivers