.webp)
Hey there, nature lovers! I can not wait to tell you about my great adventure at the Betla National Park wildlife. Just imagine that you are in the heart of a beautiful forest with all the calls of some exotic birds and perhaps you can see even a tiger! This is what has happened to me when I was visiting this amazing place.
Betla National Park wildlife is a national park in India, the Latehar district of Jharkhand. It is within the bigger Palamu Tiger Reserve and is among the earliest national parks in India to be transformed into a tiger reserve as long back as the year 1974 through Project Tiger. The name of the place, Betla, is really an abbreviation of this list of creatures, Bison, Elephant, Tiger, Leopard, Axis-axis (the spotted deer, or chital): How cool is that?
What Makes Betla National Park Special?
Betla National Park is not just a forest but rather a magical world that has life. The park occupies an area of approximately 226 square kilometers and is located within the larger Palamu Tiger Reserve which covers more than 1100 square kilometers. The most astounding fact about this is that this was among the earliest places in India that tiger census was conducted as early as 1932!
The scenery is extremely varied. The higher zones will have tropical wet evergreen forests, mixed deciduous forests and temperate alpine forests. The North Koel River flows in to the park forming beautiful grasslands where a lot of animals exist. I also viewed some medicinal plants that local tribes have been using long enough.
Betla National Park Wildlife Safari Experience
I will never forget how exciting my first safari in Betla was. I opted to take a jeep safari which is the best popular means of touring the park. The jeep is capable of carrying a maximum of five, and we had a professional guide who was well versed with the animals and their life styles.
We began early in the morning when there is the greatest activity of animals. When we came through the gate the forest appeared to rouse itself. We listened to birds chirping, leaves rustling and at times the alarm calls of deer--which usually indicates a predator in the vicinity!
According to our guide, some of the really rare species of Betla National Park wildlife are found in the park. We had the fortune of sighting a herd of bison (or gaur), which are great and grand. Then we had a view of chital (spotted deer) grazing in a clearance. So beautiful in their white spots!
Animals in Betla National Park: Meet the Locals!
Every animal in Betla National Park is unique and fascinating, making them resemble animals from stories. I spent my visit and got to know about so many animals that make this park their home. I would like to present you to some of them:
- Tigers: the kings of the jungle! Betla has some Bengal tigers, although they are timid and difficult to see. Indeed, the recent census estimated approximately half a dozen of tigers in the bigger Palamu Tiger Reserve. Our guide explained that it could be possible to see pug marks (print of paws), but a spotted pig takes a lot of patience and fortune to see.
- Leopards: These spotted cats are a little more easily spotted than tigers. They are good tree climbers and frequently sleep on branches of trees. The 2022 census of the park gives a population of 51 leopards.
- Indian Bison (Gaur): the biggest wild cows in the world! They are giant and brutal with crooked horns. I could see an entire herd of them--what a great one they looked!
- Elephants: Betla is well endowed with Asian elephants. They travel in packs and are mostly observed between March and June where there is scarcity of water.
Betla National Park Timings: When to Visit
It is most important to plan by taking into consideration the Betla National Park timings so that you get the best experience. The park remains open throughout the year, although the experience is different at various seasons of the year.
It is good to visit during the months of November-March when the weather is cool and pleasant. These months are between approximately 9 o C and 29 o C. It is also during this time that animals can be readily seen since they go out to enjoy the sun and there are still water holes that remain.
Hot is Summer (April to June), and good to see wildlife. When temperatures become more pleasant (up to 41 C in May!), animals can be found in places close to water and are thus even easier to notice. The leaves themselves are also thinner at this period making them easier to see.
Regarding the day-to-day schedules, the safaris are done in two shifts:
- Morning safari: 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Afternoon safari: 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
You should reserve your safari in advance more so during high season. There is an online booking system of the forest department, or alternatively you may book it through your hotel or tour operator.
Palamu Tiger Reserve Betla: A Bigger Picture
In fact, Palamu Tiger Reserve Betla is the bigger covered area comprising of Betla National Park. This appreciation of conservation efforts led me to understand this relationship.
In 1973-74, the reserve was declared by the state as one of the first nine tiger reserves in India (Project Tiger ). It is situated in the districts of Palamu, Latehar, and Garhwa on a vast 1,129.93 square kilometer area. This includes:
- Betla National Park (226.32 km²)
- Palamau Wildlife Sanctuary (979.27 km 2 )
- Mahuodar Wolf Sanctuary
Other adjacent reserves also are interrelated with the reserve such as Guru Ghasidas - Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve to the western direction and Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary to the eastern direction. This forms a wildlife passageway that helps the animals to transition across the regions.
Recommended to read :- Dassam Falls Nature’s Serenity in the Heart of Ranchi
Elephant Safari Betla National Park: A Royal Ride
My trek into Betla National Park as an elephant safari was one of the most enchanted moments. Riding an elephant in the forest gave me the feeling of being a royalist in the ancient times!
Elephant safari is not the same as jeep safaris:
- You have a better viewpoint that assists in noticing animals.
- Elephants are able to reach places that a jeep cannot reach.
- Animals are not as afraid of elephants as they are of cars.
Betla has only two elephants to offer safaris and therefore should be booked in advance. The tours normally take approximately one hour though with the season they could be cut short to serve a larger number of visitors.
Where to Stay: Accommodations in the Wild
I was staying at the JTDC Van Vihar hotel that is located just by the entrance of the park. The rooms were expansive and cozy, and its facilities were simple. The employees were friendly and organized my tours and tours.
The accommodation near Betla is divided into several options:
- Forest Department Properties: These consist of forest rest houses and the well known tree house within the park. The tree house also contains amazing views of the forest and is constructed on stilts.
- JTDC Van Vihar: It is operated by the Jharkhand tourism and it has comfortable rooms along with bathrooms attached. Here food is plain, yet good.
- Hotels and Resorts, private: Within surrounding towns such as Daltonganj and Latehar are a few private properties with more luxury services.
- Homestays: There are homestays that are provided by some local families. It is an excellent means of local cultural and culinary experience.
The tree house accommodation is highly frequented and it books fast. A tree house is it, but it is really a building upon stilts than a tree house. Nevertheless, it is an original experience of being in the forest!
Final Thoughts: Why Betla Should Be Your Next Adventure
The experience that I had in Betla national park wildlife was unforgettable. The sight of the wild elephants, to the calmness of the forest sounds, each of the moments was magical.
It is not merely the animals that are special at Betla but the whole affair. Rising to the call of the birds, inhaling the pure air of the woods, and forgetting that I was in the city was good to my soul. The locals guides gave me so much information about the forest and its wildlife that I was able to value the fine balance of nature.
FAQs About Betla National Park
1. What is the way to access Betla National Park?
The closest airport is located in Ranchi (approximately 250 km) which is linked to other large Indian cities. The closest railway station is Barwadih Junction (15 km distance) or Daltonganj (25 km distance). A taxi or a bus to the park can be done there.
2. Does Betla National Park contain elephants?
Yes! Betla boasts of a healthy number of Asian elephants. They can frequently be found, particularly following the monsoon rains as the water holes begin to dry up.
3. Can we see tigers in Betla?
It is very infrequent but not impossible to see tigers. Recent census revealed approximately six tigers at the Palamu tiger reserve which is larger. You may not see a tiger but you may see pugmarks or other indicators.
4. Is Betla National Park visitor safe?
Yes, the park is not very bad as long as you observe the rules. Always have a guide, remain in the car when doing safaris and avoid causing disturbance to the animals.
5. How much does a safari cost?
The Jeep safari charges about 1700 in rupees within a span of one hour with the capacity of up to 5 people. Extra charges on entry, guide and cameras are present.
.webp)
