Betla National Park

Location: 140 kms from Ranchi.
Area: 232 sq. Kms.
Speciality: Tigers

Palamu shot to fame as early as 1932 for its tiger census - the first of its kind in the world. In 1974 it became one of the countrys earliest tiger reserves. Endowed with thick tropical forests and a rich variety of fauna, the core area of the sanctuary has been declared as Betla National park (232 sq. kms.).

This park is a great attraction to tourists. The Park, at an average elevation of 1,000 ft. is open throughout the year although February to April are the best months. It is 140 kms from Ranchi. 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. Once the seat of Chero kings,it has many historical monuments and a fort of 16th century inside the forest. The other rivers which which drain Palamu are Koel and Burha which eventually empties into the famous Sone river. The forest department has made arrangements for providing jeeps for viewing the wildlife here. Betla is easily accessible by road. Itis 25 kms from Daltonganj and 140 kms from Ranchi. The nearest airport is Ranchi. For accommodation, one can consider BSTDC's Van Vihar Tel: 06562-86513 or forest department's Rest Houses, besides other tourist lodges, cottages and hotels.

Hazaribagh Sanctuary
Location: Jharkhand
Prime attractions: Wild Bear, Nilgai, Cheetal.
Time to visit: October To April.

Nestled in low hilly terrain, at an average altitude of 1800ft. Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary stretches over 184 sq. kms. of plains, undulating country, steep hills and deep nullahs with tropical forests and grass meadows.

The Wild Population
An abundance of wild animals is a very pleasant sight. Wild bear, Nilgai, Chital and Kakar can be seen at dusk and dawn, gambolling and enjoying themselves in the waters of the lake. The tiger and panther, exclusive attractions at this sanctuary demand extreme patience from the viewer. Hazaribagh perhaps holds more Sambhars than any other area of comparable size. The 1970 census has established the presence of 14 tigers, 25 Panthers and 400 Sambars.

Watching The Wild
Numerous observation towers in the sanctuary make it all the easier to have a closer encounter with the wild. The flak-top strip of National Highway 33 passes through the sanctuary by its main gate at Pokharia, 21 kms from Barhi and 16 kms from Hazaribagh. 111 kms roads in the sanctuary take motorists to the remotest corners and to masonry towers, strategically located, offer excellent opportunities for viewing the wilds during the best months of October to April. The sanctuary is surrounded by habitations of tribals.

Palamu Tiger Reserve

Location: 25 kms. from Daltonganj
Area: 1026 sq. Kms.
Speciality: Tigers, Leopards
Best Time: All the year

THE WILD AT ITS WILDEST
Spread over an area of approximately 1026 sq. km., Palamau Tiger Reserve is located within the civil administrative district of Palamau in the South Chhotanagpur plateau of Bihar. The undulating terrain is set off by sal forests and thickets of bamboo. The circuitous Koel River and its tributaries meander through the park.

Palamau has the distinction of being the forest where the world's first tiger census was conducted by way of pugmarks, in 1934. Large herds of Gaur & Chital are commonly seen. Elephants are present mostly after the monsoon upto the time when the water holes begin to dry up in March. Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Bear, Sambar, Nilgai, Deer are also permanent residents.

Palamau National Park is now a part of one of nine tiger reserves in India, under "Project Tiger”. Man-animal conflicts, caused largely by elephants are a major problem and pose Project Tiger with one of its greatest challenges.

The Wild Population
Situated in the lndo-Malayan realm, Palamau is rich in flora and fauna. The tiger and panther comprise a significant part of the jungle population. Amongst the predators besides the tiger are leopards, wolves, wild dogs and jungle cats. Sloth bear, four horned antelope and mouse dear are some of the herbivores. Sambar, chinkara, dhole, wild bear are also found in good numbers.

The main inhabitants of the Palamau are the tiger, the Indian wolf, leopard, elephant, gaur, sambar, muntjac and nilgai. The sight of large herds of gaur and chital around the reserve along with the groups of pachyderms, is very common especially near the waterholes.

The flora
The entire area has a good distribution of bamboo breaks. The herbarium recently prepared by the Tiger Reserve authority records a good number of medicinal plants. The western part of the Reserve is composed of dry deciduous forests and the other part shows characters of moist mixed deciduous nature.

WATCHING THE WILD
There are good motorable roads inside the park that offer the motorists a close view of the wild in the dense forests. Providing excellent opportunities for observing the animals, without causing any disturbance, There are two towers and a tree top tower.

There are ground level hides as well for photographers to capture the animals.

OTHER ATTRACTIONS
Adding to the beauty of the reserve are the cascading waterfalls and hot springs. The place is dotted with historical monuments and a fort nestled deep in the forest. A one-time seat of the famed ‘Chero Rajas’, Palamau's past history is still visible in the form of its mighty forts, standing on the banks of the Koel and Auranga rivers of Chota Nagpur.