Hazaribagh National Park

Hazaribagh National Park-Jharkhand
About:
The Hazaribagh National Park is one of the most significant wildlife sanctuaries in Jharkhand. The sanctuary is located at a height of about 615 meters on a low-altitude hilly region of the state. The Hazaribagh National Park in Jharkhand spans across a huge region. This national park covers a total area of 184 square kms. The Hazaribagh National Park has a tropical type of climate, where it is quite cold during winter and quite hot during summer.  

The Hazaribagh National Park at Jharkhand offers a variety of vegetation starting from low-altitude stretches of grassland to thick tropical vegetations. The wildlife sanctuary of Hazaribagh National Park has a wide range of topography from low-lying regions to high hills and rolling regions.

The Hazaribagh National Park has abundant wild animals like the Chital, Nilgai, Panther, Sambar, Sloth Bear, Tiger and Wild Boar. The Cheetal, Kakar, Nilgai, Sambar and Wild Boar are among the most easily and often spotted animals particularly near the waterholes at the time of the dusk. The population of the tigers is very less. According to 1991 Census, there were 14 tigers in the park. The tigers are really difficult to sight.

A 111-km long stretch of the road in the sanctuary takes the tourists to the remotest corners and masonry towers of the park. The road, strategically laid down, offers excellent opportunities for the view of the wild animals. The tribal population also lives around the sanctuary. The ark has many watchtowers that act as the perfect hideouts to see the wildlife in its natural surroundings.
Location info:
Address:Hazaribagh National Park, Koderma,Jarkhanad,India
District: Koderma
Nearest City: Koderma
Best time to visit: October to March
Climate/Weather:
The climate in this region is tropical with hot summers and cold winters. Temperature during the summer months touch a high of 41.1’C and a low of 19.4’C. Winter months are better and the temperature ranges between a maximum and minimum of 19.4’C and 7’C. The monsoon months are July to mid-September.
History:
Eversince the Hazaribagh National Park was developed in 1954, it was known by that name but when the formal listings of the national parks was made by the United Nations, it was not included in it.On 24th June 2007, Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand announced that soon Hazaribagh will have an state-of-the-art Elephant Park, if this project materialize it would attract more tourist.
Interesting things to do:
Put off all music and cut off all sound. Don’t frighten animals away. Leave the animals to themselves and just watch them from a distance. Also, put your vehicles light dim because too much may frighten the animals.
Interesting things to Visit:
Fauna:
Sambhar, nilgai, chital and kakar can be seen at dusk and dawn, enjoying at water holes. Sloth bear might be encountered unexpectedly. It is a matter of chance that one sees a tiger or a panther. The last time a Tiger was sighted in the vicinity of the Forest Rest House was in 2006, as reported by the caretaker when the Tiger had killed a prey. I was very lucy to watch a Tiger from a distance of barely 30 feets while on foot; But that was way back in 1989. I still cherish the memory.  

Landscape:
The national park is located on the Chotanagpur plateau. It stretches over 184 sq km of undulating countryside, steep hills and deep drainage channels with thick tropical forests and grass meadows, at an average altitude of 615 meters. There are small rivers and a number of dams have been constructed to form artificial lakes within the park.

Hazaribagh Lake:
The Hazaribagh lake also attracts various tourists. It is a popular picnic spot and place for water sports.

Jilaiya Dam:
This dam, situated across Barakar River is a preferred attraction for the tourists. It is 55 kms away from Hazaribagh. The main road from Bath, on C.T Road passes through the reservoir and the hillock offers a breath-taking sight.

Hazaribagh Hill:
Hazaribagh is the famous hill resort to relax and enjoy the natural scenery. Hazaribagh literally means the land of thousand gardens and is situated at an altitude of 2019 feet above the sea level and set amidst hilly and forests on the opposite side of the Damodar Valley. It has excellent climate and scenic beauties all around it in the midst of dense forest which is quite rich in flora and fauna. Hazaribagh is well known for the Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary. This place attracts tourists from all over the world who come here to visit the sanctuary, waterfalls and dams located in the vicinity. The best season to visit Hazaribagh is from October to April.
Mobile range info:
 
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station: Koderma railway station , which is 59 km away, or alternately one can approach the park from the Hazaribagh Road railway station (67 km) on the Howrah-Delhi Grand Chord line.
Nearest Airport:Ranchi (91 km) ariport is connected with Calcutta, Patna, Lucknow and Delhi by regular Indian Airlines flights.
Road Transport: Hazaribagh town is connected by road to Ranchi 91 km, Dhanbad 128 km, Gaya 130 km, Patna 235 km, Daltongunj 198 km, and Calcutta (via Asansol-Govindapur-Barhi) 434 km. The Hazaribagh National Park is 19 km from the Hazaribagh town. Regular bus services connect the town with Koderma, Hazaribagh Road railway station, Patna, Gaya, Ranchi, Dhanbad, Daltongunj and other nearby places.Unmetered Taxis, Auto Rickshaws, Cycle Rickshaws and Taxis are available for the park from the Hazaribagh town. The approximate charge for a taxi is Rs. 160 for a two-way journey.
Nearest Visiting places:
Rajarappa Waterfalls:
Rajarappa Waterfalls is situated about 89 km. from Hazaribagh. The Rajarappa Waterfalls is believed to be one of the 51 sacred sites where a part of the body of Sati, the spouse of Lord Shiva fell. In this falls, the Bhera river joins the Damodar river from a height of 20 feet. A temple dedicated to Devi Chinnamasta is situated on the top of the hill. The little waterfall also offers boating facilities which introduces some very spectacular rock formations in this area.  

Tilaiya Dam:
Tilaiya Dam is a small dam that is situated on the Patna-Ranchi road and 55 kms from Hazaribagh. This dam produces only 4000 kw. of power. This was the first dam and hydro-electric power station that was built by the Damodar Valley Corporation for controlling floods across Barakar river in Hazaribagh district. It is 1,200 ft. long and 99 ft. high. It is situated in an ideal surrounding with a reservoir stretching in 36 sq. kms. This dam is mainly visited for its picturesque setting with its hills and reservoir with motor boats, swimming, terrace gardens and deer park.

Canary Hills:
The Canary Hills is located close to the town. The Canary Hills has a well laid out park and studded with three small lakes and an observation tower. From the top of the hill one can have a panoramic view of the town.

Parshnath Temple:
Parshnath Temple is situated at the top of the Parshnath Hill, the highest hill in the Giridih district in Bihar. It is situated about 200 km. from Pawapuri and 8 km. from Giridh. The path to the hill top passes through the Madhuban village from where it is an 11 km. trek. It takes almost a full day to reach the Parshnath Hill and to the temple and to come back. The Parshnath Hill is a famous abode for Jains as about 23 out of 24 Tirthankaras (including Parsvantha) are believed to have attained salvation in the Sammetasikhara of the Parshnath hills. The Parshnath hill is named after the 23rd Tirthankar Parsvanatha and rises steep above the plains of Dhanbad to a height of 1,365 metres. The Prasvantha, 23rd Tirthankar was very popular among tribal population of Chotanagpur. He is identified by the snake king Dharanendra, whose many hoods protect the meditating Tirthankar. Both the Swetamber and Digamber Jains have many beautiful temples here on the hills.

Shahpur:
Opposite Daltonganj on the west bank of the Koel is the village SHAHPUR in which Gopal Rai, the Raja of Palamu built a palace in the end of the 18th century. Shahpur stands on a high tract of land and the ruined place, the white temple and the masonry building present a picturesque view from Daltonganj. A nearer view of the palace is disappointing for what looks in the distance like an imposing edifice is seen to be half-finished building of little architectural importance.

Palamau:
Palamau on the Auranga river , 20 miles south-east of Daltonganj as the crow flies, from which the district takes its name is for historian and archaeologist the most interesting place in the district, for it was for many years the seat of the Chero chiefs and it contains the ruins of the two great forts built by them, the capture of which by Mughals and later by the British resulted in the collapse of the Chero resistance, the forts lie within the reserved forests and in order to preserve them the jungle has to be cut back at intervals .they are a favourite haunt of tigers, whose pug marks may nearly always be seen in and around the fort.The walls which are in preservation are about 5 feet in thickness and those of the old fort bear marks of cannon balls and bullets in many places.

Netarhat:
The plateau of Netarhat in Palamu district is comparatively unknown to the tourists from outside although it is one of the rare beauty spots which is capable of great development. About a century back, it is understood, there was a military camp at Netarhat. The camp had to close down because sufficient good water was not available. It was left to Sir Edward Gait, Lt. Governor of Bihar and Orissa to give a great Importance to the plateau. Sir Edward and after him many of the Bihar and Orissa and later Bihar Governors use to spend a part of the summer exodus at Netarhat. Netarhat although situated in Palamau District is more easily accessible from Ranchi, the summer headquarter of the Old Bihar Govt. it is at a distance of 96 miles from Ranchi, the last 12 miles of which commencing from Banari runs through the hilly section and is typical of any of the other hill stations. There is an excellent all-weather road of morum which is capable of widening at some places. The cars can pass conveniently.
plateau:
A plateau, four miles long and two and a half miles broad. It is in the extreme of the district, the highest point of which is 3,800 feet above the sea level. It is in Mahuadanr police station and is 96 miles west of Ranchi across seven hills. This is the highest point on the plateau of Chhotanagpur. Netarhat is a place of peculiar charm which has a laid its spell on many casual visitors. The stillness of the jungle and the cool and refreshing air brings relief from the dust and heat of the plains. Netarhat has a game sanctuary amidst pine forest the bestow singular arboreal interest in this part. Some time back it used to be the permanent summer station of the Governor.

Palamau National Park:
Palamau is one of the popular national parks of India. Palamau is situated within the lndo-Malayan realm and is rich in flora and fauna, though the area is prone to severe droughts. There are 107 villages in the buffer area and three in the core with a human population of 65,000 and a livestock population of 45,000. The core is distributed into two parts, the actual core and the recently inducted ‘satellite core’. The park was brought under Project Tiger in 1973 and is among the first nine Tiger Reserves of the country. The core area was declared a National Park in September 1989.

Betla National Park:
Situated in the district of Daltonganj, Palamau Sanctuary is spread over an area of 979sq.km. The core area of 232 sq. kms of the sanctuary was declared as Betla National park in September1989. The park occupies the western parts of the Chotanagpur plateau and was constituted in the year 1960 as an extension of the Hazaribagh National park. Palamau has the distinction of being the forest where the world’s first tiger census was enumerated in 1932. The park became one of the earliest 9 tiger reserves in India under ‘Project Tiger’ in 1974.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
Lakshmi petrol pump:NH 100,Hazaribagh,Jharkhand,India  
Koltex petrol pump:NH 100,Hazaribagh,Jharkhand,India
Ramnagar Petrol pump:Road No 4,Hazaribag,Jharkhand,India
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Lotus Nikko Bodhgaya Hotel:Bodhgaya,Gaya,Bihar,India  
Hotels Bodh Gaya:Bodhgaya,Gaya,Bihar,India
Things to carry:
 
Tips & Suggestions:
 
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:
Holy Family HospitalL::Koderma,Jharkhand,India
Sadar Hospital Hazaribagh:NH 100,Hazaribag,Jharkhand,India
Society/Community Phone Number:
Link: