 Betla
(Palamau) shot into fame as
early as 1932 for its tiger
census - the first of its kind
in the world. In 1974 it became
one of the country's earliest
tiger reserves. Endowed with
thick tropical forests and a
rich variety of faunas, its core
area of 232 sq. km. has been
declared the Betla National
Park. It is now a part of one of
the nine tiger reserves in India
under Project Tiger.
General
Information
Temperature
(Max./Min.) Deg C: Summer -
47/28 Winter -23/7
Total
Area: 1026 KM2
Buffer
Zone: 813 KM2
Core
Area: 232 KM2
Tourist
Zone: 35 KM2
Best
Season: October to
March
Clothing: Summer -
Cotton/Tropical, Winter - Light
Woolens.
Language Spoken:
Hindi, English
What to
See
Betla National Park: This park
is a great attraction to
tourists. The park, at an
average elevation of 100ft is
open throughout the year
although February, March and
April are
 the best months to
visit. Large herds of Gaur and
Chital are commonly seen.
Elephants are seen 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, Peacock are
also spotted. Large families of
langurs are an ever-present
attraction. It has waterfalls
and hot springs too. Once the
seat of Chero Kings, it also has
some historical monuments and a
fort Betla Fort of 16th century
inside the forest. There are two
rivers, Koel and Burha, which
eventually empty into the famous
Sone River. There are five Watch
Towers from where animals can be
easily observed and photographs
taken.
How to
Reach
Air:
Nearest airport is Ranchi which
is 161 Km away from Betla. Daily
Indian Airlines services connect
Ranchi with Calctta, Patna,
Lucknow and Delhi.
Rail:
The Nearest railway station is
at Daltonganj which is 25 Km
from Betla. The
 second nearest
railway station is Ranchi161 Km
from Betla.
Road:
Betla is connected by road to
Daltonganj 25 Km, Ranchi 171 Km,
Patna 384 Km, Hazaribagh 190 Km,
Netarhat 211 Km and Calcutta 575
Km
Bus:
Regular direct bus services are
available from Ranchi and
Hazaribagh to Daltonganj via
Morh from where Betla is only 6
Km.
Local
Transport: Jeeps and
elephants are available on hire
basis to take the tourists
inside the forest.
Conducted Tour: There
is no regular trip but chartered
buses or taxis are arranged from
Ranchi and Patna by Bihar State
Tourism Development Corporation.
Where
to Stay
The best accommodations, that
suit all budgets, are Tourist
Bungalow Van Vihar and Tourist
House, both run by Bihar State
Tourism Development Corp, and
Forest (Govt.) Rest House. There
is an attractive Tree Top House
run by Bihar State Tourism
Development Corporation which
provides a panoramic view of the
forest. There are also a few
private lodges, and hotels.
Excursions
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