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.

Gaur (Indian bison) at Betla National Park
Gaur (Indian bison) at Betla National Park
Dinodia Photo Libary

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)