Betla National Park is a national park located on the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the Latehar and Palamu district of Jharkhand, India. The park hosts a wide variety of wildlife.
Betla National Park, Netarhat Overview
- Location: Palamau district, Jharkhand, west of Ranchi.
- Main Attraction: Betla National Park with hilly terrain and diverse flora and fauna.
- Wildlife: Wild elephants, tigers, leopards, axis deer, and bison.
- Tribal Heritage: Provides insights into the rich tribal heritage of Jharkhand.
- Unique Feature: Presence of two forts within the park.
- Area: Covers approximately 979 sq. km, with the main area being 232 sq. km.
- Tiger Reserve: One of the first 9 tiger reserves established in India.
- Ecosystem: Diversified ecosystem with sal and bamboo trees.
- Popular Destination: Known for close-range wildlife observation and nature exploration.
Flora and Fauna
- Flora: Betla National Park in Jharkhand houses diverse flora, including sal and bamboo trees.
- Medicinal Herbs: The park is also home to a variety of medicinal herbs within its woodlands.
- Grasslands: The grasslands within the park are formed by the North Koel River and its tributaries.
- River Presence: The river runs past the northern section of the park.
- Biodiversity: The combination of woodlands, grasslands, and river presence contributes to the park’s rich biodiversity.
- Wildlife: Betla National Park is home to a wide range of wild species, including elephants, sloth bears, panthers, wolves, jackals, hyenas, gaurs, chitals, langurs, Indian giant squirrels, and more.
- Acronym: The name “Betla” is derived from an acronym representing the prevalent animals in the national park: bison, elephant, tiger, leopard, and axis (chital).
- White Tigers: The park used to have white tigers, but they were relocated to zoos.
- Bird Species: The park is rich in birdlife, with species like hornbills, peafowls, red jungle fowls, black partridges, white-necked storks, black ibises, and more.
- Waterbirds: Kamaldah lake attracts waterbirds such as common whistling ducks, cotton teals, knob-billed ducks, snipes, and geese.
Tour spots in and around Betla National Park
Betla Forts:
- Historical Forts: Betla National Park houses two historical forts that were built by the Chero Kings during the 16th century.
- Ruins: The forts are now in a state of ruin, bearing the traces of their ancient grandeur.
- Height: One of the forts within the park reaches an impressive height of approximately 401 feet.
- Chero Kings: The Chero kings believed themselves to be the descendants of the Chandravanshi lineage, which claims descent from the moon.
Kechki Sangam– Meeting point of two local River Namely Koel and Orga.
- It located about 10 km away from Betla.
- Ideal Time to Visit: The rainy season is the perfect time to visit Betla National Park.
Talah Hot Water Spring – It is a tourist attraction located about 34 km away from Betla.
- It is famous for its remedial properties.
- Some other important tour spots around the Betla National Park are Mirchaiya Falls, Suga dam , Mandal dam , and Shiv Temple Barawadih .
Conclusion
- Establishment and Tiger Reserve: Betla National Park was established in 1974 and became one of India’s first tiger reserves.
- Lush Tropical Vegetation: The park is known for its lush tropical vegetation and diverse biodiversity.
- Refuge turned National Park: Betla National Park started as a refuge and later gained its status as a national park.
- Average Elevation: The park has an average elevation of approximately 1000 feet.
- Best Months to Visit: The recommended months to visit are November through March.
- Park Area: Betla National Park covers an area of 250 square kilometres.
- Accessible Roads: The park has well-maintained roads that provide opportunities for visitors to observe wildlife up close.
- Wildlife Species: The park is home to various wildlife species, including Gaur, Chital, Elephant, Tiger, Panther, Sloth Bear, Wild Bear, Sambhar, Nilgai, Kakar, Mouse Deer, and Langurs in large groups.
FAQs about Betla National Park
Answer: Betla National Park is located on the Chota Nagpur Plateau in the Latehar and Palamu districts of Jharkhand, India.
Answer :The name “Betla” derives from the initials of the prevalent animals in the national park: bison, elephant, tiger, leopard, and axis (Chital).
Answer :Betla National Park covers an area of approximately 979 square kilometers, with 232 square kilometers forming the main area of the park.
Answer: Its diverse flora, including luxuriant sal and bamboo trees, is what the park is known for. It also houses a variety of medicinal herbs and grasslands formed by the North Koel River and its tributaries.
Read also:- Bandipur National Park, Karnataka
