Natural Resources

Bihar lies in the tropical to sub tropical region. Rainfall here is the most significant factor in determining the nature of vegetation. Bihar has a monsoon climate with an average annual rainfall of 1200 mm.

Forests

The sub Himalayan foothills of Someshwar and Dun ranges in Champaran constitute another belt of moist deciduous forests. These also consist of scrub, grass and reeds. The rainfall in this region is above 1,600 mm and thus luxuriant Sal forests thrive in the favoured areas. The important trees are Shorea Robusta (Sal), Shisham, Cedrela Toona, Khair, and Semal.

Fertile land

The topography of Bihar can be easily described as a fertile alluvial plain occupying the Gangetic Valley. The plain extends from the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to a few miles south of the river Ganges as it flows through the State from the west to the east. Rich farmland and lush orchards extend throughout the state. Following are the major crops: paddy, wheat, lentils, sugarcane, and jute. Cane grows wild in the marshes of West Champaran. The principal fruits are: mangoes, banana, jack fruit and litchis. This is one the very few areas outside China which produces litchi.

Rivers

Bihar is richly endowed with water resources, both at the ground water resource and the surface water resource. Not only by rainfall but it has considerable water supply from the rivers which flow within the territory of the State. Ganga is the main river which is joined by tributaries with their sources in the Himalayas. Some of them are Saryu (Ghaghra), Gandak, Budhi Gandak, Bagmati, Kamla-Balan and Mahananda.

There are some other rivers that start from the platue area and meet in Ganges or its associate rivers after flowing towards north. Some of them are Sone, Uttari Koyal, Punpun, Panchane and Karmnasha.

Mineral Production

Steatite - 945 Tonnes
Pyrites - 9,539 Tonnes
Quartzite - 14,865 Tonnes
Crude Mica - 53 Tonnes
Limestone - 4, 78,000 Tonnes