Betla National Park
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Betla National Park is a national park located in the Chota Nagpur Plateau of the Palamau district of Jharkhand, in India.
Betla was one of the first national parks in India to become a tiger reserve under Project Tiger.
Animals one can find at Betla include forest owls, drongos, tigers, civets and the rhesus monkey. Elephant rides are also offered.
Betla national park is nestled in the lap of Deccan Plateau which includes 1,026 sq km of Palamau Tiger Reserve in the state of Jharkhand. An additional 226 sq km was added to the park in 1989 and 63 sq km of the Mahuadar wolf sanctuary was added to national park.
The park boasts of high wild life sighting despite thick foliage. Betla village is the only entry point to the park. The park has plenty of wild animals including tigers, elephant, gaur, cheetal, sloth bear, mouse deer, pangolin, four horned antelope, sambar, civet and wolf. One can also visit 468 –ft high Lodh Falls situated 95 km south of the park in Mahuadar and ruins of the Chero Kings’ Fort situated near the Betla at 400 ft.
Getting to Betla Tiger Reserve: By Air:The nearest airport Ranchi is connected by daily flights to all Indian Metros. Most resorts have pick-ups facilities. MP Tourism also arranges pick-ups on advance notice. .
By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Daltonganj from where one can take either taxi or bus.
By Road: NH75 from Ranchi via Kuru and Latehar.
Where to stay: Visitors can stay at Betla,Kerh,Maromar,Mundu and Baresand.One can also check Van Vihar tourist complex.
Best time to visit Betla Tiger Reserve: The best time to visit Betla is between October and April. But the wildlife sightings are highest in the hot season May and June. The most comfortable time to visit in terms of climate is between November and March.
Large herds of Gaur and Chital are commonly seen. Elephants are present mostly after the monsoons up to the time when water holes begin to dry up in March. Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Bear, Sambhar, Nilgai, Kakar, Mouse Deer are also permanent residents. Large families of langurs are an ever present attraction. Palamu is now one of the nine Tiger Reserves in India under Project Tiger
It has waterfalls and hot springs too. The forest department has made arrangements for providing jeeps for viewing the wildlife here.
The forests of the park have a vast range of vegetation consisting of tropical wet evergreen forests in the lower reaches, mixed (moist & dry) deciduous forests in the middle and temperate alpine forests in the upper reaches including Sal and bamboo as the major components along with a number of medicinal plants. The river Koel and its tributaries run through the northern portion of the park. There are grasslands in the river flowing area. It has waterfalls and hot springs too. Once the seat of Chero kings, there are two historical forts, one of them belonging to the 16th century deep inside the forest. The main sentinel of the old fort is visible high up on the hill with defences in three directions and three main gates.
The diversity of eco-system promotes a wide variety of fauna consisting of elephant, panther, leopard, wild boar, tiger, gaur, sloth bear, sambar, chital, nuntjac, nilgai, langur, mouse deer, monkeys, small Indian civet, mongoose, jackals, porcupine, ant eating pangolin etc. Elephants in large numbers are seen mostly during the monsoons up to the time when water sources begin to dry up in March. Jackal and hyena are common scavengers. Bird-life is rich featuring the hornbill, peafowl, red jungle fowl, black partridge, white necked stork, black ibis, swamp grey, quail, the pied born bill, wagtails, the harial, doves, drongo, the crested serpent-eagle, forest owls, the papiha and other birds usually found in dry deciduous forests. The famous Kamaldah lake attracts several varieties of water birds including the common whistling and cotton teal, the comb duck, snipe and geese. The rhesus monkey and the common languor provide attraction to children visiting the park.
Described as one of the finest parks in the north-east for observing a variety of wild life from close range, there are elephant rides and jeeps available with guides and spotlight for venturing inside the park. Watch towers and ground hides have been constructed to view the wild life.
Where to stay : The accommodation facilities in the tourist complex, include a three star hotel, tourist lodges with canteen, log huts and tree houses inside the forest with fully furnished suites. The tree house overlooks a watering hole a few yards away where the animals gather in the summers to quench their thirst. STD/ ISD, Postal and Internet facilities are available in the reserve area. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation's Van Vihar is available for stay. Phone: 06562-86513
October to May is the ideal months for visit however open through out the year.
Contact
Director, Project Tiger (Jail Compound), Betla P.O.Daltonganj Palamau Phone: 0656286 -350.
Amit Prakash Gupta Mobile:9821376830 Email: amitgupta007_99@yahoo.com
