Flora and Fauna
The eastern area of Birbhum is a part of the rice plains of West Bengal, and the vegetation here includes usual characteristics of rice fields in Bengal, such as species of Aponogeton, Utricularia, Drosera, Philcoxia, Scrophulariaceae and similar aquatic or palustrine genera. In the drier western region of the district, the characteristic shrubs and herbs include species of Wendlandia, Convolvulaceae, Stipa, Tragus, Spermacoce, Ziziphus, Capparis and other similar plants that grows on laterite soil. Mango, palm, and bamboo are among commonly visible trees in Birbhum. Other common species of plants visible here are jackfruit, arjun, sal, guava, kend and mahua.
Other than feral dogs and domestic cattle, the most frequently encountered non-human mammal is the hanuman, a long tailed grey langur prevalent in the Gangetic plain. Some wild boars and wolves may still be spotted in the small forests of Chinpai, Bandarsol and Charicha. Leopards and bears are not to be seen any more in the wild. Sometimes during the season when mahua trees bloom, wild Asiatic elephants from Jharkhand come in trampling crops and threatening life and property. Birds of Birbhum include a mix of hilly and plain-land dwelling species like partridge, pigeon, green pigeon, water fowls, doyel, Indian robin, drongo, hawk, cuckoo, koel, sunbird, Indian roller, parrot, babbler, and some migratory birds.
Educational facilities in Birbhum district:
High School–256, Higher Secondary School–110
Junior High School–86
Junior High Madarsa–10
Senior Madarsa–4
Primary School–237
Sishu Sikhsha Kendra–495
Anganwadi Centre–2407
College–12
University–1
Engineering colleges–2
Polytechnic –1
Industrial Training Institute (ITI)–1
Ballabhpur Wildlife Sanctuary near Santiniketan was declared a sanctuary in 1977. Various economically important trees are planted here and Blackbucks, Spotted deer, jackals, foxes and a variety of water birds reside within its 2 km2 (0.8 sq mi).
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