Betla National Park
Betla National Park Jharkhand — Palamu Tiger Reserve Safari, Fort & Wildlife in Latehar
Jharkhand's Only Tiger Reserve — Where Jungle, Fort & River Converge
About Betla National Park
Betla National Park is a 226 sq km national park in Latehar district, Jharkhand, forming the core zone of the larger Palamau Tiger Reserve (total area: 1,129 sq km). Established as one of India's original nine tiger reserves under Project Tiger in 1974, it is the only tiger reserve in Jharkhand. According to the Jharkhand Forest Department (2025), the reserve is home to 39 mammal species — including tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, gaur, sloth bears, grey wolves, and wild dogs — and 205 bird species. As of January 2025, 6 tigers and 182 elephants were recorded in the reserve.
Betla National Park sits on the western edge of the Chotanagpur Plateau, bounded by the North Koel River to the west and the Auranga River to the north. The park was historically significant even before Project Tiger: the first-ever tiger census using pugmark counting in the world was conducted here in 1932 under Forest Officer J.W. Nicholson. Inside the park, the 16th-century Palamu Fort (Old Fort) and 17th-century New Fort built by the Chero dynasty are accessible by forest jeep, making Betla one of the very few places in India where a wildlife safari and a medieval fort visit can be combined in the same half-day.
Quick Info
November to April (open October 1 to June 30)
Latehar
wildlife
Frequently Asked Questions About Betla National Park
Common questions about visiting Betla National Park, Jharkhand
Betla National Park is home to tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, gaur (Indian bison), sloth bears, wild dogs (dholes), grey wolves, sambar, chital, nilgai, and four-horned antelope. As of January 2025, the Palamau Tiger Reserve recorded 6 tigers and 182 elephants (Jharkhand Forest Department, 2025). Over 205 bird species have been recorded.
Betla National Park is 170 km from Ranchi via NH-39 (Ranchi–Daltonganj highway), approximately 4 to 5 hours by road. Daltonganj (reserve headquarters) is 25 km before Betla.
Betla National Park is open for tourists from October 1 to June 30 each year. It is closed from July 1 to September 30 during the monsoon season. Jeep safaris are available twice daily — morning (6:00 AM) and evening (3:00 PM) — bookable at the Betla gate or through the Palamau Tiger Reserve official portal at palamautigerreserve.in.
Betla National Park became part of the Palamau Tiger Reserve in 1974, when it was declared one of India's original nine tiger reserves under Project Tiger. It holds the distinction of being the site of the world's first tiger census by pugmark counting, conducted in 1932 under Forest Officer J.W. Nicholson.
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