|
|
|
|
|
Netarhat-popularly called the 'Queen of Chotanagpur',
is 156 km west of Ranchi Town. A plateau 4 miles long & two
and a half miles broad. It is in the extreme south of the
district, the highest point of which is 3800 feet above the
sea-level. It is 96 miles west of Ranchi across seven hills.
The stillness of jungles and the cool refreshing air brings
relief from the dust and heat of the plains. It has a game
sanctuary amidst pine forests that bestow a singular arboreal
interest in this part. It is comparatively unknown to the
tourists from outside although; it is one of the rare beauty
spots which is capable of great development. This plateau is
the “Plateau of Netarhat”. |
The temperature of Netarhat is cooler than
Ranchi all the year on round. It can be said
that this place is the coolest in the whole of
Jharkhand State.
The place has also been provided with an
Agricultural Farm. There are inspection
bungalows and rest houses. 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 Palamu District is
more easily accessible from Ranchi, the summer head quarter 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.
Sir Edward loved the spot, the
natural beauty, the Sal forests and the panoramic view of
ranges of hills below. He visualized that this plateau of
about 12 square miles could well be developed into a beautiful
hill station without the disadvantages of usual dampness and
heavy rains of higher attitude. He also loved the aboriginal
tribes namely the Birhors and Brijias. Some Birhores are still
seen living in small leaf huts with an opening through which
one camps to jungle patches where there more of edible fruits,
roots and monkeys to catch and eat.
|
|
The Birjias have now been reduced
to a total population of a few hundreds only in Palamu
district .the only changes that have come over the Birjias is
that they are no more nomadic but they still not have taken to
cultivation. The excellent pasturage available induced the
Government to start a stud-buffalo from 40 years back but this
had to wind up because of malaria and want of good water.
Fortunately malaria control measures have alone way to make
the place mosquito free but the water problem still remains.
Steps are how ever being taken to ensure to better water
supply. |
The base of the
plateau is formed of massive felspathic Granite and Laterite.
The boulders of trap are within 180 feet of the summit. There
are stretches of Sal with natural bamboo groves and Wild
Bisons occasionally are found grazing. At one time there was
an attempt to grow tea and coffee on the plateau. |
The entire plateau
is owned by the Old Bihar Government. At present their are no
private houses on the plateau. The best building is of course
the Governors Chalet and then comes Palamu forests rest
bungalows.
There are four other Public works Department bungalows and a
Palamu District Board Bungalows These are available for the
tourists but prior reservation from the Deputy Commissioner of Palamu or the Chairman of the District Board, Palamu is
desirable. The Palamu District Boardbungalow has the best
situation as it over looks several ranges of hills and the
winding Koel river below. There are many Hotels are available
for tourists. Netarhat has a wonderful climate and in the July
and August it does not become moist. In summer Netarhat
has a very cool climate. The plateau is ringed by forest
and the rainfall usually does not exceed 60 inches per
year. |
|
There are patches of pines and cypresses
grown by the Forest Department and both the species have taken
to the soil very kindly. Apples and peaches are grown but the
fruits are not very big. English vegetables could easily be
grown. The place has now been freed from malaria. There are a
number of flowering trees particularly of Bauhinia and Cassia
species. Season flowers could be grown throughout the year. It
has been held the flowering trees of different species could
be very well grown on the plateau which will ensure a feast of
flowers throughout the year.
There are bus services both from Ranchi and Daltonganj to
Netarhat. The development of Netarhat will open the
neighboring Chhechhari valley and other hill tops such as
Jamirapat (3,747 feet above sea level ) and Gulgupat (3,819
feet above sea level ). Jharkhand’s second highest fall, the
Burhaghagh with a sheer drops of 466 feet is also near
Netarhat but at present accessible only to the hiker. Netarhat
offers plenty of big game shooting with permission from the
Forest Department. Tigers are common in certain sections.
|
|
With the development of
Netarhat which has been taken up, it
will have great attraction to the
general tourists, hiker, shikari and
anthropologists. There is one important
beauty spot in Netarhat. The sight of
the sunrise near the Palamu dak bungalow
and sunset at Mangolia point about six
miles from the Public school. It is
advisable that tourist must see the
Sunrise and Sunset in Neterhat.
Presently Netarhat is situated in new
created district Latehar from Palamu.
Netarhat : The Wonder of Wonders |
That what we know about it is little; what we
don’t know is so vast. Netarhat – a beacon light, a
godly instrument singing the song of bliss eternal,
of hope, of safety and salvation epitomizes its
aims, always striving to seek, to find and not to
give way to extinction for the attainment of its
desired ideal. It is a wonderland:
Where the mind is without fear and the
head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into
fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where word come out from the depth of truth;
Where tire less striving stretches its arms
towards perfection.
|
|
The verdant look and tenderly touching luster
of Netarhat signs the chant of glory- the glory of
filial affection of Mother Nature. Nature with all
its beauty and grandeur emboldens the mind
pronouncing and propagating prudent gospel of
morality:
One impulse from a vernal wood
May teach you more of man
Of moral evil and of good
Than all the sages can,
There exists communication between man and nature
here at Netarhat that allows harmony between the
spirit in nature and the mind of man. Scene
surroundings soothes the eye and wipes out dross and
dust of day-to-day like. Netarhat, the most
affectionate and intimate part of nature nurtures to
existence by forming ones character.
Worshipped and revered as GURU-Netarhat is
contributing to the uphill task of reformation. To
re- install and revive the ancient Vedic ideals in
accord with the go of modern life and civilization,
multifaceted maneuvered natural surrounding of
Netarhat adores a unique residential abode of
learning- the vital powerhouse of ceaseless divine
energy where budding intellects dedicate themselves
to the ideal for the realization of education with
initiation and adherence.
|
|
|
Worshipped and revered as GURU-Netarhat is
contributing to the uphill task of reformation. To
re- install and revive the ancient Vedic ideals in
accord with the go of modern life and civilization,
multifaceted maneuvered natural surrounding of
Netarhat adores a unique residential abode of
learning- the vital powerhouse of ceaseless divine
energy where budding intellects dedicate themselves
to the ideal for the realization of education with
initiation and adherence. Evolving peaceful co-
existence-Live and Let Live- the school aims to
enhance a feeling of sympathy, compassion, tolerance
among its disciple. Netarhat- the wonder land has
served the society by passing the developed skills
and traits from one generation to the next by both
inheritance and environment. It is really a pride to
carry out and fulfill one’s parent’s trait’s blossom
in the young and juvenile learners. Austere and
inadvertent life, ‘far from the maddening crowd’
grants graceful honor and dignity.
Closely knit and elegantly harmonized society
of Netarhat tempts people of the world beyond this
calm and tranquil surrounding. |
Netarhat is the land
which stands firmer than any rock with its undying
vigor, indestructible life. Its life is of the same
nature as the soul, without beginning and without
end- immortal. The grandeur of the mountain torrent,
the glory of the floating clouds with charm and
grace of a young girl’s face, the sheer sensual
delight of the world of nature are the wonders of
the wonders that is Netarhat.
Needless to say that human life is worth
living here in spite of the sorrows and sufferings
than may come to assail it from time to time. ‘The
still sad music of humanity is neither harsh nor
grating, and has ample power to chasten and subdue.
Man can lift above the suffering by calling to his
help the strength of his moral life and the
resources of divine providence. If one follows the
path of duty he is bound to get happiness and joy in
life:
‘Serene will be our days and bright,
And happy will our nature be,
When love is an unerring light,
And joy its own security.’
R .K. Roy
Dept. of English |
|
|
|
|
|
|