This area used to be the private hunting reserve of the Singh Deo family (the erstwhile rulers of Saraikela).

[2] The perennial rivers, Karo and Koina, pass through these forested areas supporting a diverse floral and faunal resource.

Other important trees are Mahua, kusum, Tilai, Harin hara (Armossa rohitulea), Gular (Ficus glomerata), and Asan.

It is an important overlapping habitat of the elephants from adjacent Kedunjhar (Keonjhar) district of Odisha.

The area was previously disturbed by Maoist and Naxal influences, but problems have subsided in recent years, and it has turned out to be a major tourist hub.