Forests and rivers were very important for the Magadha Mahajanapada. Due to the forested area, elephants, which lived in forest, could be captured and trained for armies. Forests also provided wood for building houses, carts and chariots. Similarly, Magadha emphasised on agriculture and new tools were developed with the help of wood and iron.
Agriculture needs timely water supply in the fields for irrigation pin-pose. The rivers such as the Ganga and the Son of this area played an important role in fertility of the land. In these ways, both forests and rivers were important for the Magadha.