National Parks In India

Palamau National Park

This National Park is situated in the extreme western portion of Chotanagpur in Jharkhand. The area covered by this national park is approximately 250 sqkm.  Another nick name of this park is Betla national Park. Palamau district is having quite richness in natural greenery, though surprisingly this area is victim of several long draughts. Since the starting of project tiger, this national park came into existence. Nine Tiger Reserves were observed in the country at that time and Palamau national park is one of them.  In the year 1989, this area is declared as National Park.

In order to protect tigers, which was then an endangered species, the first census in the world, was done in this tiger reserve in 1932. During 1972, the total number of tigers was 22 in this tiger reserve but later due to complete protection activities, the strength of tigers increased to 47 till 1995.  Unfortunately in 1997, this number reduced to only 44 but still efforts being made there to increase the strength of tigers. Wild elephants are also one of the best attractions in this National Park.  Leopard, Indian Wolf, Wild Bear, Chital, Munjtac, Wild Boar and more than 140 verities of birds inhabitant of this park. In the outskirts of this National Park, there are 107 villages.  Three villages are in extreme core area of this park and always in danger. Population of these villages is also more than 65,000 including effective population of 45,000. This core rea is further divided in sub portions. 

Another name of this park is Betla National Park. The word Betla stands for B- Bison, E-Elephant, T-Tiger, L-Leopard and A-Antelope. These species are found here in majority and reason being this abbreviation counted for as a designation of this park. Famous Sal trees are found here in a large numbers. Sal tree is very important for house hold furniture.

General Information

State	Jharkhand
District(s)	Palamau District
Established	1989
Nearest city	Ranchi
Time zone	IST  (UTC +05:30)
Area	250 sq kms
Elevation	600- 1100 m above sea level
Climate
Precipitation	1,708.60 cm
Temperature
Summer	45 °C
Winter	3 °C

 

History

This district was once ruled by the Ghero kings and there fort was built very deeper inside the forest. This place is famous for its hot springs and scenic waterfalls. This park has the status of second largest national park of the province. This is one of the nine tiger reserves observed in India. The Betla National park is spread over 930 sqkm area. Various dry and moisture nature trees are in very dense quantity are grown here. In some of the places, the sunshine hardly reaches to the earth. In this park, there is a huge quantity of Sal and Bamboo trees. A Herbarium has been created there by the efforts of TRA and a wide range of medicinal plants are grown there.

Best Time To Visit

Period from February to April is considered best time to visit this national park.  In summers, this area experiences a high temperature of 40 Celsius. Very harsh weather in summers put a bar for the visitors to come here.  Extreme weather conditions are effective also in winters and make it very severe.  In winters, the temperature generally goes down upto 30 Celsius.  Visitors must carry the clothing according to the weather they are coming here.  In winters heavy woolen clothing area required, while in summers very light cotton clothing is must.

Distance From National Park

Ranchi – 140 km

Daltonganj- 25 km

Latehar – 65 km

How To Get There

Betla village is used as gateway to this park. This village is located at the following distances :-

From - Dalton Ganj (South)    - 25 Kilometers

From - Latehar (North West) - 65 kilometers

From - Ranchi (North West)   - 170 kilometers

By Air: Ranchi is the nearest airport located at approximately 170 kilometers from Betla.  Jharkhand Tourism also provides the transportation facility from airport to the national park if intimated to them in advance of journey.

By Rail:  Barwadih junction is the nearest rail head just located at 15 kilometers of distance from this national park.  The park is accessible from Taxi/Cab services frequently being ply from the railway station. Various stations of the country are also connected by Barwadih rail junction.

By Road: A very short distance of 10 kilometers is required to cover from Daltonganj  to access this national park. A link road is also available there approximately 15 kilometers long for this purpose.

Location Map

 

Things To Do In National Park

Wildlife:

Flora: The wide range of different type of vegetables and flowers give a typical look to the entire national park.  Tropical greenery in which moist and dry both types of trees are grown also creates a pleasant and cool look to the park.  Sal and Bamboo trees are sufficient to invite moisture.  Meadow and the river flowing area of Keol is also has very charming look and attracts the tourists. 

Fauna:  This Park is full of various types of species. In this park once can witness the historical scene when wild elephants wander in a large group after monsoon season is over. 

Wide variety of mammals, more than 7 types of snakes, lizards, and fishes of various types, various insects’ more than 21 types and the birds of not less than 170types are available in this park. A big wildlife like Tigers, Leopard, Sambhar, Python, Spotted Deer, Wild Dogs, Neelgai, Jackal, Antelopes and Woolf area found in large quantity.  If the birdlife of this national park is considered, the Hornbills, Red Jungle Fowl, Seafowl, White Necked Storks, Quails, Wagtails, Doves, Forest Owlets and so on will be the most attractive species in this park to invite the tourist here time and again.  A lake in this area named Kamaldah is very famous especially for bird species inhabitant there.

Safaris:  If one can tolerate the very hot season of this park, the tigers can be easily seen as the living area of tigers is reduced and they get close in search of some waterholes.  At the gate of park, Jeep Safari is available and that is being operated by private bodies.  The charge of this vehicle is very high ie. Rs. 200 per hour.  For easiness of own, a local guide is also a must at the rate of Rs. 20 per hour. Elephant Safari is also available by the park authorities at the rate of Rs. 100 per hour for 4 people.  This safari takes a visitor inside the jungle to have a look of scenic beauty of the park.

Accommodation: There is a three star hotel, equipped with all required amenities available for tourists, lodge is also available with catering facility, various log huts and locally constructed tree houses are also available inside the forest including all the required amenities. These tree houses are erected at such a place where wild animals assembled to drink water.  Phones, Post and Internet facilities are also available here.

Van Vihar is the name of accommodation facility being maintained by Bihar Tourism Development Corporation.  If one wants to stay outside the national park area, the arrangements are available in Betla village, Ker, Maromar and Mundu villages. 

Weather

Geographical condition of this location provides an extreme weather throughout the year.  During summers, the mercury goes substantially high upto the 400 Celsius.  Just opposite to this condition, winters are extreme cold here with a minimum temperature of 30 Celsius. Rainy season commences from Jul to September and does not receive a big rainfall.

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