Hazaribag Wildlife Sanctuary

Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Map of India
Location	Jharkhand, India
Nearest city	Hazaribagh
Coordinates	24°09′N 85°22′E
Area	184 km2 (71 sq mi)
Established	1955

Hazaribag or Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary is in Jharkhand, India, established in 1955. It has an area of 184 km² (71 sq mi) and is home to leopards, tigers and sloths among many other animals.

Nestling in low hilly terrain, at an average altitude of 615 metres (2,018 ft) in the Indian state of Jharkhand, the Hazaribagh National Park has an abundance of wild animals like the wild boar, sambar, nilgai, chital, sloth bear, tiger and panther.

Visiting Hours

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 (106.0 °F) and a low of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F). Winter months are better and the temperature ranges between a maximum and minimum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F) and 7 °C (45 °F). The monsoon months are July to mid-September.

How To Get There

Air

The nearest airport is in Ranchi (91 km (57 mi)) which is connected with Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow and Delhi by regular flights.

Rail

The nearest railway station is Koderma, which is 59 km (37 mi) away, or alternately one can approach the park from the Hazaribagh railway station (67 km (42 mi)) on the Howrah-Delhi Grand Chord line.

Road

Hazaribagh town is connected by road to Ranchi 91 km (57 mi), Dhanbad 128 km, Gaya 130 km (81 mi), Patna 235 km (146 mi), Daltongunj 198 km (123 mi), and Calcutta (via Asansol-Govindapur-Barhi) 434 km (270 mi). The Hazaribagh National Park is 19 km (12 mi) 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.

Internal Transport

Taxis are available for the park from the Hazaribagh town. The approximate charge for a taxi is Rs. 160 for a two-way journey.

Attractions

Sighting of wild boar, sambar, nilgai, cheetal, and kakar is assured especially near the waterholes at dusk. Tigers being less in number-14 according to the 1991 census-are difficult to sight. The sanctuary stretches over 184 square km of undulating country and steep hills with dense tropical forests and grass meadows.

A 111-km road in the sanctuary takes motorists to the remotest corners and to masonry towers. Strategically located, the road offers excellent opportunities for viewing the wilds. The sanctuary is surrounded by tribal habitation. There are many watchtowers that provide perfect hideouts to see the wildlife in its true natural habitat.

Places Around

The Palamau Forest Reserve is another major wildlife sanctuary in the region. Places of the tourist interest in the vicinity include Canari Hill - 5 km (3.1 mi), Tilaiya Dam, Rajrappa falls 89 km (55 mi), and Surajkund hot spring - 72 km (45 mi).

Travel Tips

A trip to the park starts at 1700 hours from the Divisional Forest Office, West Division, Hazaribagh and it ends at 2200 hours. Charges are Rs.50 per head. Reservation can be made with the Divisional Forest Officer, West Division, Hazaribagh. Entry fees for vehicles inside the park are Bus (full)- Rs.75; Mini Bus- Rs.50; Station Wagon/Car/Jeep/Private Car- Rs.20; Motor Cycle- Rs.10 and Taxi- Rs.25. No charges are levied for guides provided with the tour operators and there is no extra fee for carrying a camera to the park. Firearms are not allowed inside the park.

Hazaribagh National Park travel guide from Wikitravel