Name: Hazaribagh
Rating: 4.0

Hazaribagh National Park, Hazaribagh Overview

Located in the state of Jharkhand, the Hazaribagh National Park is one of the oldest wildlife sanctuaries in India. It was established in 1954 with an objective of conserving wildlife and providing a home for rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. The landscape is full of steep hills, spectacular countryside, thick tropical forest and lovely meadows. The Hazaribagh National Park is located at a distance of 19 km from Hazaribagh and 135 km away from Ranchi. The best part about visiting this national park and wildlife sanctuary is that all its interiors are very well-connected by internal roads of 111 km that are constructed in such a way that animals do not get obstructed as they go about their daily business.

Nestled in the hilly terrains of Chota Nagpur plateau, the sanctuary is spread over an area of 183.89 square kilometres and has an altitude of 615 meters. The national park did not get much tourist attention until 2007 until the deputy CM of the state announced the construction of a state-of-the-art elephant project that aimed at attracting more tourists.
Hop in for the jeep safaris, climb to the watchtowers and enjoy the magnificent wildlife and natural aesthetics of the place. The beautiful amalgamation of nature and wildlife will make exploring Hazaribagh National Park a once in a lifetime experience. Although the number of tigers in the sanctuary is relatively low, you can spot a number of other animals such as Cheetal, Nilgai, Sambar, and Wild Boar.

Wildlife at Hazaribagh National Park

The picturesque park is an abode to a variety of rare and endangered flora and fauna. Animals like Sambar, Nilgai, Bison, Spotted deer, Cheetah, Wild boar and Kakkar can be easily seen at dawn and dusk, enjoying at the water holes. If you are lucky, you might even see a sloth or a panther.

At one time, Hazaribagh Wildlife sanctuary was famous for its enormous population of tigers, but now one would be lucky to catch a glimpse of a tiger roaming around in the forest. Their population is fast dwindling and has been a matter of concern ever since. According to 1991 census, there were only 14 tigers in the park.

The natural vegetation in Hazaribagh National Park consists primarily of grass meadows and thick tropical forest. The whole area is covered with Sal and other miscellaneous trees during the spring season. Plenty of water resources in small form rivers and artificial lakes also adorn the sanctuary.

There are many watchtowers constructed here to facilitate the wildlife watching. They are built near the water holes, which provides a breathtaking top view. Apart from that, you can also take a jeep safari to explore the wildlife sanctuary. A tribal mob resides at the sanctuary and their place of living is another way to have a look at the wildlife.

Safari at Hazaribagh National Park

You can experience the beautiful landscape of the sanctuary by taking a jeep safari on the well maintained, 111km long metalled road. The safari gives insight into most of the places in the park, especially where wildlife can be sighted.

You can take a private vehicle or hire a jeep for the safari. The charge for the private vehicles is a nominal fee of INR 100.

Best Time To Visit Hazaribagh national park

The best time to visit is during the months of October to April, as the park is closed during monsoons.

Tips For Visiting Hazaribagh national park

1. Loud music is prohibited inside the compound as it might scare away the animals. So, cut all the music and enjoy the natural beauty of the place.
2. Dim the headlights of your vehicle as that might frighten the animals.
3. Feeding the animals is also prohibited.
4. Leave the animal alone and watch from a distance. Getting too close make invoke them to attack.
5. There is an eatery in the sanctuary. However, it is best to keep some food and water to satiate your hunger.
6. Bed is provided at the forest accommodation but it is not very well maintained. So, carry your own bedding.

Accommodation Near Hazaribagh national park

Accommodation facilities are available inside the park itself. You can stay at the Forest Rest House at Rajderwah or at the tourist lodge. They also have an adjacent canteen facilities. Apart from that, both budget and luxury hotels are available in the city.

How To Reach Hazaribagh National Park

The national park is situated 19 km from the Hazaribagh town. You can hire your own taxi or auto rickshaw from the town to reach the national park. The autorickshaws are more common and are easily available.