The Betla National Park –
The Betla National Park is one of the most widely known national parks in the northeastern part of the India, which was Previously known as the Palamu Sanctuary. The national park covers an area of around 979 sq km, out of which 232 sq km forms the core area. The sanctuary got the status of a national park in the year 1989. Betla National Park is one of the 9 tiger reserves that were first established in the country..
The tiger reserve has an enchanting variety of flora and fauna. This wildlife park is proud to have a wide variety of wildlife, which includes tiger, sloth bear, leopard, elephant, pangolin, bison, sambhar, wild boar, cheetal deer, fox, wolf, wild cats, badgers, giant squirrel among others. It also shelters many species of reptiles, ie, Indian rock pythons, sand boa, king kobra, common cobra, water snakes, keel backs, common krait, banded krait, russel viper, saw scaled viper, lizards, tortoises and turtles.
The list of birds in the Betla National is also quite impressive. Bird watchers can enjoy the sights of avian species including peafowl, red jungle fowl, black partridge, white necked stork, black ibis, swamp grey, pied born bill, wagtails, the harial, doves, parrot, Indian magpie, drongo, forest owls etc. Aquatic birds like cormorants, teal, duck, snipe and geese can be easily spotted close to the Kamaldah Lake.
Covered with forests, valleys and hills, water bodies, the park serves as the right address in a wildlife enthusiast’s tourism destination. Paid elephant rides are offered in the park. These rides provide a wonderful aerial view of the wildlife. 226 km of this park has been included under the ambit of Palamau Tiger Reserve.
Travel information
The closest airport from the Betla National Park is Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi, 180 kms away. The Airport has regular flights connecting to important Indian cities like Kolkata, Patna, Mumbai and New Delhi. Daltonganj is also the nearest town, it is the nearest railway station, 25 kms away . Regular trains from the railhead connect to different parts of the country. Ranchi and Gaya are other major convenient railway stations located close to Betla. By road, the national park can be accessed from places including Daltonganj (25 kms) via Khudia morh (6km), Ranchi (140 kms), Hazaribagh (190 kms), Netarhat (211 kms), Patna (384 kms) and Kolkata (575 kms).