Betla National Park

Betla National Park is a protected wildlife area located in Betla village in Latehar district, Jharkhand, forming the core of the Palamau Tiger Reserve on the Chota Nagpur Plateau. Established as a national park in 1986, it covers about 226 square kilometres of dry deciduous forests, grasslands and hills. Notable for tigers, elephants, leopards, sloth bears and diverse birdlife, it offers jungle safaris and nature trails amid historic Palamau Forts.

Visitors can expect dense dry deciduous forest, hilly terrain and grasslands within the Palamau Tiger Reserve. The main experience is a guided jeep safari through core and buffer zones to view wildlife such as elephants, chital, sambar, langurs, sloth bears and birds, with occasional tiger and leopard sightings. The park has watchtowers, forest rest houses, and the ruins of Palamau Forts inside the forest. Safaris operate in morning and afternoon slots with forest guides.

Betla National Park forms part of Palamau Tiger Reserve, one of the first nine tiger reserves declared under Project Tiger in 1974, and was notified as a national park in 1986 covering about 226 sq km. The forest contains the Palamau Forts, two forts built by the Chero dynasty in the 16th century, reflecting the medieval history of the region.

The park lies on the Chota Nagpur Plateau in a region traditionally inhabited by tribal communities and is significant for conservation education and nature awareness. The Palamau Forts within the park are important heritage structures representing local architectural history.