Formed mainly for the protection for tigers, the Betla National Park, Jharkhand, was among the first national parks in India. The Betla National Park was given the status of a national park in 1989. This national park in India was also among the earliest 9 tiger reserves in India under 'Project Tiger' in 1974.

Sprawling over an expansive area, the Betla National Park in Jharkhand occupies the western region of the Chota Nagpur Plateau. The park supports a wealth of biodiversity and is home to an enormous range of vegetation as well as animals and birds. The woodlands mainly consist of tropical wet evergreen forests, mixed deciduous forests and temperate alpine forests. River Koel and its tributaries also run through the northern portion of the park help the diverse eco-system of the park.

Betla National Park is considered among the best national parks in India to observe animals from close quarters. The park provides a natural habitat to several species of animals such as Elephant, Panther, Leopard, Wild Boar, Tiger, Gaur, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital, Nuntjac, Nilgai, Langur, Mouse Deer, Monkeys, Small Indian Civet, Mongoose, Jackals, Porcupine, Ant Eating Pangolin, Jackal,