The total area is 928 sq. kms, and the core area 213 sq. kms.  

Palamau is situated within the lndo-Malayan realm and is rich in flora and fauna and amongst the predators besides the tiger are leopards, wolves, wild dogs and jungle cats. Sloth bear, four horned antelope and mouse dear are some of the herbivores.  

There are 107 villages in the buffer, 3 in the core with a human population of 65,000 and a livestock population of 45,000. The core is distributed in 2 parts, the actual core and the recently inducted 'Satellite core'. The core area was declared a National Park in September, 1989.  

The Sanctuary was brought under Project Tiger in 1973 and is among the first 9 such Tiger Reserves of the country.  

The western part of the Reserve is composed of dry deciduous forests and the other part shows characters of moist mixed deciduous nature. The entire area has a good distribution of bamboo breaks. The herbarium recently prepared by the Tiger Reserve authorities records a good number of medicinal plants.  

Interestingly the first ever tiger census by way of pug mark count was undertaken within these forests way back in 1934. Since the first census, population of tigers showed a steady decline till 1972 when their number dwindled down to 17. However, after the declaration of the Sanctuary, it is stated, the number showed a rise reaching a figure of 55 in 1989. The 1991 census figure shows the tiger population as 54. This figure quoted by the Palamau Tiger Reserve authorities are purely indicative and not absolute.  

The population of elephants have increased substantially during the past 50 years. Prior to 1920 this area had no elephant population but the 20 odd elephants released by the Maharaja of Surguja turned feral, subsequently increasing in number. The present count exceeds 104 elephants which show addition of herds from Singbhum district of Bihar.  

The enormous pressure put on the resource base of Palamau Tiger Reserve is felt acutely with the passing of each day. Human needs can be identified as the prime factor responsible for man-animal confrontation, which is on the rise. Though a declared Tiger Reserve, bamboo and other minor forest produces were allowed to be extracted from within the Buffer zones till the 
1991 season.  

The villagers within the Palamau Tiger Reserve are predominantly tribal, representing various ethnic groups like Munda, Kherwar, Chero, Birjia etc who had led a nomadic pattern of life style till the early part of this century. They are extremely tolerant to wildlife and live in complete harmony with their natural environs.  

The population still remaining in the villages have no access to any irrigation schemes hence are completely dependent on rain which fails almost every year. Whatever little crop is raised is devastated by herbivores causing enough reasons for confrontations. But most surprisingly the animals are not yet treated as enemies, the grudge being diverted towards the Forest authorities.  

With no efforts for generation of employment and the severe drought condition prevailing this year, it is feared that large scale indiscipline may follow within the Reserve. This third consecutive drought year deprived the villagers from any crop and cases of starvation deaths (though denied by the authorities) have been reported.  

With the increase in pressures of humans, the pressure of grazing within the Palamau Tiger Reserve is an ever mounting phenomenon. A huge number of cattle is regularly taken into the sanctuary, in cases even within the core area.  

It is estimated that about 60% of the Palamau Tiger Reserve is prone to fire during dry seasons (March-June). Intentional torching by villagers for grazing, area development, firing of leaf litter for easy collection of Madhuca indica flowers, trees catching fire created for smoking bee-hives, embers left behind during controlled firing by forest department etc are the main reasons for such fires.  

A forest guard was murdered in 1990 and taking the cue all forest guards abandoned their posts claiming the incident to be the act of extremists. With the withdrawal of guards the entire area was exposed to law breakers.  

But due to lack of interactions between officials and villagers during the last few years, the situation turned worse and dissensions are visible everywhere. Cases of manhandling of forest officials, an unheard of phenomenon took place, Range Offices were burnt. There are movements of political and religious adventurists on the rise. They have helped some tribal groups to encroach forest land for cultivation.  

Cases of snaring of spotted deer within the villages are on the rise and probably non-payment of compensation and lack of crop-protection measures as reasons for such defiance.  

During the past 2 years, cases of tiger poaching were reported. These were resorted to by rich hunters from far off cities who penetrate the forests in absence of security staff. Though definite information is lacking, increase in poaching activity is feared.  

Due to total absence of habitat manipulation measures like de-weeding of Lantana and Parthenum etc and fresh introduction of exotic grass species, several species of herbivores presumably tend either to diminish or migrate to areas causing over concentration.  

For example, Nilgai (Boselaphus tregocametus) is not found any more, Barking deer population has dwindled, Mouse deer are rarely seen and Sambars are shifting from Betla range more towards the eastern side. On the other hand, Gaur population is increasing in the grassy areas whereas their earlier habitats which are overwhelmed by exotic bushes show less signs of their presence.  

In absence of a Research Officer, a statutory requirement in all Tiger Reserves, such phenomenon remain unexplained.  

Dual control on the Reserve by the Territorial Division as well as Tiger Reserve Directorate should be dispensed with immediately. Full control should be entrusted on the Field Director, and Range Officers under Palamau Tiger Reserve. This is necessary to do immediately especially due to the present severe drought.  

This tiger reserve faces a severe problem due to drought that has ravaged the area and immediate and urgent measures are required not only to prevent starvation deaths in the villages but also to prevent the death of large numbers of wild animals inside due to a shortage of water and resultant spread of disease. Today Palamau must think `water' and then slowly start to deal with the other problems. It requires a vast collective effort to sort out the present problems. In the words of S. Deb Roy, Member Steering Committee of Project Tiger. "In fact this seems to be the right time to try and mitigate the severe problems of the people in and around the Park and thus ensure their help in wildlife management later on. Steps taken in the right direction will easily form the baseline of ecodevelopment through peoples participation."