National Park Wildlife Sanctuary in Jharkhand

Jharkhand, located in eastern India, is home to several national parks, tiger reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries, preserving the rich biodiversity of the region.

Betla National Park:

Betla National Park is one of the prominent national parks in the state of Jharkhand, India. Here are some key details about Betla National Park:

Location: Betla National Park is located in the Palamau district of Jharkhand, in eastern India.

History/Establishment: It was initially established as the Palamau Wildlife Sanctuary in 1974 and was later designated as a national park in 1989. The park is named after the Betla village, which is situated within its boundaries.

Area: The park covers an area of approximately 979 square kilometers (378 square miles), making it one of the larger national parks in India.

Landscape: Betla National Park is known for its diverse landscape, which includes lush forests, rolling hills, and meadows. The park is part of the Chotanagpur Plateau region and is characterized by its hilly terrain.

Flora: The park is home to a variety of flora, including Sal, Bamboo, and other tropical and deciduous tree species.

Fauna: Betla National Park is rich in biodiversity and is known for its wildlife, including tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, sambar deer, chital, barking deer, and numerous bird species. The park is also inhabited by reptiles and various species of insects.

Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit Betla National Park is during the winter months, from November to March, when the weather is cooler and more conducive for wildlife viewing and outdoor activities.

Tourist Attractions:

• Betla Fort: An ancient fort located within the park, offering historical significance and a panoramic view of the surrounding region.
• Panchghagh Falls: A beautiful waterfall located nearby, attracting tourists for its scenic beauty.
• Sunset and Sunrise Points: Ideal spots to witness stunning sunsets and sunrises amidst the natural beauty of the park.

Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the state of Jharkhand, in the eastern part of India, near the city of Jamshedpur.

Established: 1976

Area: 195 sq km (121 mi)

Elevation: The sanctuary is located in the Dalma Hills, which have an elevation ranging from 300 meters to 900 meters above sea level.

Biodiversity: The sanctuary is renowned for its rich biodiversity and is home to a variety of wildlife species, including:

• Elephants: Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary is particularly famous for its population of Asian elephants. These elephants roam freely in the sanctuary and are a major attraction for visitors.
• Leopards: The sanctuary is also home to leopards, although they are elusive and not often seen.
• Other Mammals: Other mammal species found in the sanctuary include barking deer, sambar deer, sloth bears, Indian gaur (Indian bison), wild boars, and various species of primates, including langurs and rhesus macaques.
• Birds: Some of the bird species you may encounter include peafowls, hornbills, parakeets, and several migratory birds during the winter months.

Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region of Jharkhand, in eastern India. It is not far from the city of Hazaribagh.

Established: 1955

Area: 184 sq. km (71 sq mi)

Biodiversity: The sanctuary is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to a variety of wildlife species, including:

• Tigers: Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the important tiger habitats in Jharkhand, although tiger sightings are relatively rare.
• Leopards: Leopards are more commonly spotted in the sanctuary, and they are one of the main carnivores of the region.
• Deer Species: Various species of deer, such as spotted deer (chital) and sambar deer, can be found in the sanctuary.
• Other Mammals: The sanctuary is also inhabited by barking deer, wild boars, sloth bears, langurs, and macaques.
• Birds: Numerous species of birds, including peafowls, hornbills, parakeets, and waterfowl.

Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Koderma district of Jharkhand, in eastern India.

Established: 1985

Area: 150.62 square kilometres (58.15 sq mi)

Biodiversity: Despite its size, Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its diverse flora and fauna. Some of the notable wildlife species found in the sanctuary include:

• Leopards: Leopards are one of the main carnivores in the sanctuary, and they can be occasionally spotted by visitors.
• Barking Deer: Also known as the Indian muntjac, barking deer are commonly found in the sanctuary.
• Sloth Bears: Sloth bears, although elusive, are part of the sanctuary’s wildlife population.
• Various Bird Species: Koderma Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a variety of bird specie including peafowls, partridges, and various waterfowl.

Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Chatra district of Jharkhand, in eastern India.

Established: 1978

Area: 207 square kilometers (80 sq mi)

Biodiversity: The sanctuary is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to a variety of wildlife species, including:

• Tigers: While tigers are known to inhabit the region, sightings are relatively rare due to their elusive nature.
• Leopards: Leopards are more commonly spotted in the sanctuary.
• Barking Deer: Also known as the Indian muntjac, barking deer are commonly found in the sanctuary.
• Sloth Bears: Sloth bears, although elusive, are part of the sanctuary’s wildlife population.
• Various Bird Species: Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to several bird species like peafowls and various waterfowl.

Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Palkot Wildlife Sanctuary is located near Palkot, spread over Gumla and Simdega districts of Jharkhand.

Area: 760 km²

Established: 1990.

Flora and Fauna: Its forest type is dry deciduous. Elephants, leopards, bears, jackals, monkeys, porcupines, and hares can all find safety there.

Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, in eastern India.

Area: 8.75 sq km

Established: 1978

Biodiversity: The sanctuary is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to a variety of wildlife species, including:

• Birds: Some of the bird species you may encounter include waterfowl, waders, parakeets, and other resident and migratory birds.
• Reptiles: The sanctuary is also inhabited by reptiles like snakes and lizards.

Gautam Budha Wildlife Sanctuary

Location: Gaya district, Bihar Koderma district, Jharkhand

Area: 259 sq km

Established: 1976

Flora: Dry deciduous forests ecoregions. Plant communities include dry and moist sal forests and ravine thorn forests.

Fauna: includes tigers, leopards, wolves, sloth bears, chitals, chinkaras, and many species of birds.

Palamau Tiger Reserve:

Location: Palamau Tiger Reserve is located in the Chota Nagpur Plateau region of Jharkhand, India. It covers parts of Latehar, Palamau, and Garhwa districts.

Area: 1129.93 sq km

Established: November, 1973

History: Palamau Tiger Reserve was one of the first nine tiger reserves established in India as part of Project Tiger, a conservation initiative launched in 1973 to protect the Bengal tiger.

Biodiversity: The tiger reserve is known for its diverse flora and fauna. Some of the notable wildlife species found in Palamau Tiger Reserve include:

• Bengal Tigers: The reserve is home to a significant population of Bengal tigers, and it plays a crucial role in their conservation.
• Leopards: Leopards are another top predator in the reserve, although they are generally more elusive.
• Elephants: The sanctuary has a substantial elephant population, and visitors often encounter these majestic creatures.
• Sloth Bears: Sloth bears are among the mammals that can be spotted in the reserve.
• Gaur (Indian Bison): The reserve is also home to Indian bison, locally known as gaur.
• Deer Species: Various species of deer, including sambar and barking deer, can be found here.
• Birds: Palamau Tiger Reserve hosts a variety of bird species, making it a destination for birdwatchers.

List of National Parks and WLS in Jharkhand