CLIMATE CHANGES AND ITS EFFECT ON WILD MAMMALIAN DIVERSITY IN THE HOT SPOTS OF THE CHOTANAGPUR PLATEAU (JHARKHAND, INDIA) M.C.Mahata Ex-Prof., Deptt. Of Zoology, R.U., Ranchi – 834008, E.mail : mahatamanik@rediffmail.com ABSTRACT Chotanagpur plateau (lies on 210 5’ N to 240 8’ N and 820 20’ E to 840 54’ E) is one of the 40th hot spots of the country with a total area of 60,784 sq.km. of which less than 20 percent is the forest coverage. It comprises of three regions – the Ranchi plateau (Pat region or Western Ranchi plateau), Lower Ranchi plateau and outer Ranchi plateau. These places once were rich den of Wild mammalian fauna (some 75-100 yrs back). But the recent status of these Wild mammalian species have been depleted so much so that one can not imagine since many of them have either locally vanished or faded to such extent that are on the path of no return. Such situation arises on account of severe climate changes caused by less rainfall, cyclones or super cyclones oc...