Nestled in the Deccan Plateau, the Betla National Park includes 1,026sq km of the Palamau Tiger Reserve, an additional area of 226sq km that was added in 1989 and 63sq km of the Mahuadar Wolf Sanctuary. The world’s first tiger census took place here in the year 1932. In fact, Betla is one of the first national parks to come under Project Tiger.
Park vehicle entry Jeep ₹150 pax Timings 6.00–10.00am and 2.00–5.00pm Closed July to September Photography ₹100 Videography ₹150 Vehicle fee ₹400 Guide ₹100 per trip
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
Betla is an acronym for bison, elephant, tiger, leopard and Axis axis (Latin name for spotted deer). This national park offers excellent opportunites for observing wildlife. The roads are well-maintained and wildlife sightings are frequent despite pockets of thick foliage with visibility less than 10 metres. Do try the elephant safari (Rs. 400). Animals that can be spotted here include elephant, gaur, chital, sloth bear, mouse deer, pangolin, four-horned antelope, sambar, nilgai, civet, langur, wolf, jackal, hyena and panther. Betla also boasts about 174 bird species, including forest owlet and drongo.
Apart from exploring the park, visitors can plan a trip to the 468-feet-high Lodh Falls, situated 95km south of the park in Mahuadar. Also keep aside half a day to visit the ruins of the Chero Kings’ Fort, situated 11.5km away from Betla.
WHERE TO STAY AND EAT
In terms of accommodation, forest rest houses, forest tourist cottages and treehouses at Betla and Maromar are your best options. Contact DFO Palmau, Daltonganj (Tel: 06562-222282; Tariff: ₹500–1,000). There is also the Van Vihar Tourist Complex (Tel: 06567-226513, Cell: 09102403882; Tariff: ₹1,013) that offers 25 rooms and a restaurant. Devyani Hotel (Cell: 08809305415; Tariff: ₹800) is a private property opposite the main gate.
Tip Betla village is the only entry point to the park. From October–February, vehicles can be hired from Betla. In the off-season, it’s best to hire one from Ranchi (taxi ₹500 plus fuel). On your return journey, you can visit Netrahat (47km), a quaint hill station.
THE INFORMATION
When to go Best time to visit is October–April
Tourist/ Wildlife offices
Govt of Jharkhand
FFP Bhawan
2nd Floor, Durwa, Ranchi
Tel: 0651-2400981, 2400493
W jharkhandtourism.in
JTDC
Tourist Complex
Main Road, Ranchi
Tel: 2331828
Tourist Information Centre
Room No 2, Hotel Janpath
Janpath
New Delhi
Tel: 011-23365545
Cell: 09958349083
Betla National Park
Chief Conservator of Forests and
Field Director
Palmau Tiger Reserve, Daltonganj
For bookings
Divisional Forest Officer
Core Area
Palmau Tiger Reserve
Daltonganj
Tel: 06562-222282, Cell: 8987790041
Ranger
Cell: 08521991723
STD code 06562
State Jharkhand
Location In the Chota Nagpur Plateau of the Latehar District
Distance 173km NW of Ranchi
Route from Ranchi Via NH75
GETTING THERE
Air Nearest airport: Birsa Munda Airport, Ranchi (180km). Taxi costs ₹3,000 (drop)
Rail Nearest station: Daltonganj (24km). Taxi costs ₹500–600 (drop)