Betla National Park

The Palamau Sanctuary is located in the Daltonganj District of the Indian state of Jharkhand. The area of the land covered by the park is 979 square kilometers. On September 1989, this sanctuary was given the title of Betla National Park and it consists of a central area of 232 square kilometers. 

In the western portion of the Chotanagpur Plateau, this park is located. The Palamau Sanctuary was created as the increment of the Hazaribagh National Park in the year of 1960.  In the year 1932, the first tiger census in the entire globe was carried out here at the Palamau Sanctuary for the very first time. 

One can find a variety of trees and vegetations such as one can see the tropical wet evergreen forests, which are located in the lesser altitudes, the mixed deciduous type of forests in the center area and also the temperate alpine type of forests, which will be set in the higher areas. 

The northern portion of the park contains the river named Koel. The tributaries of the river can also be found here. In and around the region through which the river flows, one can find grasslands. Sparkling waterfalls and hot springs are also present. Two ancient forts can be found in the inner regions of the forest. One out of the two forts can be traced back to the time period of 16th century. 

Wild animals such as 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 and many more varieties of animals can be found in the forests.  Also common are the jackals and hyena. 

Among bird species one can find birds such as 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 such birds. The birds, which live on water comes here because of the presence of Kamaldah Lake. 

By air: Ranchi has the nearest air terminal. It is located at a distance of 180 Kms from Betla National Park. 

By rail: The closest railway station is situated in Daltonganj.

By road: All major locations are linked to Betla National Park via good roadways.