Nov 25, 2002 03:12 PM
5322 Views
(Updated Mar 13, 2003 01:49 PM)
The Palamau National Park is located in Bihar and is close to the Chotanagpur plateau. The park is divided into various zones i.e. Buffer zone (813 sq.km), Core area (213 sq.km) and the tourist zone (35 sq.km). A look at the statistics suggest that the visitor needs carry with him some amount of lady luck to catch the wild animals in action. A ride into the park is not always rewarding but the spectacular greenery makes his/her visit truly memorable.
The National Park comprises of moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests. Sal and bamboo are to be seen everywhere. The western part of the park exhibits the dry deciduous forests while the other part shows signs of moist mixed deciduous nature. What is really enjoyable for the visitor is the green that acts as a soothing balm for the eyes.
This scenic park has a healthy population of Tigers, Panthers, Sloth Bears, Wild Bears, Sambars, Nilgais, Deers etc. The rainy season welcomes the mighty Elephants who are regular visitors to the park and enjoy their stay till March when the water holes begin to dry up. Other important members of the sanctuary are wolves, hares, chitals, monkeys, common langurs, gaurs, leopards etc. What is tragic is the fact that inspite being a home to so many species of animals the visitor gets an odd glimpse of the Chitals, Nilgais and the Deers. The fault lies entirely with the tourists though. A animal lover would be shocked to see the number of Jeeps/ vans packed with tourists strolling around the park, the amount of noise the people travelling in those vehicles make, the sheer ignorance of the fact that a forest is not a circus where you can tease animals and act as jokers during the holiday seasons like Christmas etc. If you plan to visit this park make sure your journey dates do not clash with holidays. In that case you stand a better chance to watch the animals and that includes the tiger too. The best season to visit the park is during October to March but avoid the Christmas and New Year. A visit to the forest during that period can prove to be frustrating.
The park is maintained very well though and is a part of one of nine tiger reserves in India under ''Project Tiger''. While visiting the forest you may feel great thinking that the world’s first tiger-census, based on pugmark count, was done in the Palamau forests in 1932. Take a guide and a jeep from the forest department. The guides are really helpful and know the forest like the palm of their hands. With them you stand a good chance to see the animals. 3 elephants of the Department of Tourism take the tourists around the park too. There are five watchtowers from where animals can be observed and photographs taken. Enjoy you stay at the park better known as Betla National Park but please, please obey the rules of the jungle:
Keep fire away. This is the most destructive of all forces. Please do not throw lighted matches, cigarettes etc.
Keep the forest clean.
The National Park is not a place for amusing yourself with a picnic.
Keep sober. Do not consume alcoholic drinks within the sanctuary.
Talk in whisper and that too when absolutely necessary. Enjoy the sound of silence.
There are standard accommodation facilities available at the park. The options include a three star hotel, tourist lodges, log huts, and tree houses.
Access:
Air : Nearest airport Ranchi is 161 kms from the park. Indian Airlines connects Ranchi with Calcutta, Patna, Lucknow and Delhi.
Rail: The nearest railhead is at Daltonganj 25 kms from the park. And the second nearest railway station is Ranchi 161 kms from the park.
Road: Good motorable road connects the park to Daltonganj 25 kms, Ranchi 171 kms, Patna 384 kms, Hazaribagh 190 kms, Netarhat 211 kms, Calcutta 575 kms. Regular direct bus services are available from Ranchi and Hazaribagh to Daltonganj.
