Most of the state lies on the Chota Nagpur Plateau, which is the source of the Koel River, Damodar River, Brahmani River, Kharkai River, and Subarnarekha rivers, whose upper watersheds lie within Jharkhand. Much of the state is still covered by forest. Forest preserves support populations of Tiger and Asian Elephant. Soil content of Jharkhand state mainly consist of soil formed from disintegration of rocks and stones, and soil composition is further divided into:
1. Red soil, found mostly in the Damodar Valley, and Rajmahal area
2. Micacious soil (containing particles of mica), found in Koderma, Jhumeritilaiya Barkagaon, and areas around the Mandar hill.
3. Sandy soil, generally found in Hazaribagh and Dhanbad
4. Black soil, found in Rajmahal area.
5. Laterite soil, found in western part of Ranchi, Palamu, and parts of Santhal Parganas and Singhbhum.

Flora and Fauna
Weather remains cool in most areas of Jharkhand, especially Ranchi, Gumla, Netarhat, Dhanbad etc. Jharkhand has a rich variety of Flora and Fauna. The National Parks and the Zoological Gardens located in the state of Jharkhand present a panorama of this variety.

Betla National Park (Palamu), 25 km from Daltonganj covers an area of about 250 square kilometres. The national park has a large variety of wild life like Tigers, Elephants, Bison locally called gaurs, Sambhar, hundreds of Wild boar and 15 to 20 feet long Python, herds of spotted Deer, Rabbits and Fox.

Part of the reason for the variety and diversity of flora and fauna found in Jharkhand state may be accredited to the Project Tiger Reserve of Palamu, which is abode to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. The Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary, with scenic beauties, 135 km from Ranchi, is set in an ecosystem very similar to Betla National Park of Palamu.