A Tryst With Nature
One of the oldest wildlife reserves in India, Corbett National
Park is famous for its wide variety of wildlife of Tigers,
Leopards and Elephants and its beautiful location. Aboded in the
foothills of the Himalayas, the majestic Corbett National Park is
home to a variety of flora and fauna.
History: Jim Corbett National
Park
Corbett National Park was established in 1936, as the Hailey
National Park. India's first national park and the first sanctuary
to come under Project Tiger, Corbett supports a variety of
vegetation making it the ideal habitat for the Tiger and its prey.
Once a popular hunting ground of the British, this 201 square mile
park was named in honor of the late Jim Corbett, the legendary
hunter-naturalist turned author and photographer who most of his
years in this area and contributed in setting up the this park.
With the help of the World Wildlife Fund, Project Tiger was
launched in Corbett National Park in 1973 and this park was one of
the first such tiger reserves in the country.
Majestic Aura Of Jim Corbett
Park
The varied topography comprises hilly and riverine areas,
temporary marshy depressions, plateaus and ravines. The lower
areas are almost completely populated by Sal trees. In the Jim
Corbett National Park are found 110 tree species, 50 mammals
species, 580 bird species and 25 reptile species.
Impressive Insight
Dense stands of sal and mixed deciduous forests welcome your visit
to Jim Corbett National Park while the grasslands in the valleys
offer visitors a better view of the wildlife. Orchids, tropical
creepers and bamboo grow on the hills. The best way to view
wildlife is by elephant safari. It is possible to travel deep into
the park on elephant back and to get very near to wildlife without
frightening them away. It provides shelter to Tigers as well as
its prey, which include four kinds of Deer, Wild Boar and some
lesser-known animals. The most commonly observed wildlife are
langur monkeys, rhesus macaques, wild boars, spotted deer, sambar,
peacocks and wild elephants. The park is also a birdwatcher's
paradise containing over 580 different species of birds.
Significant Attractions In
Corbett
Ramnagar
: Situated in the rich farm belt of Terai, on the southeastern
fringes of the great forests, the busy market town of Ramnagar is
the main administrative centre for Corbett National Park and
Project Tiger. Ramnagar makes a fishing base camp. At Lohachaur,
15-kms north along the River Kosi, good anglers are in with a
chance of landing the legendary Mahseer, a redoubtable battling
River Carp
Wildlife Viewing : Chital, Sambar, and various other Deer
species find refuge in the Savannah grasslands known as the Maidan,
behind the campsite to the south, and Tigers are occasionally
drawn in looking for prey. Two hour elephant rides, explore this
sea of grass, rarely penetrating far into the deep jungles beyond;
try to convince your Mahout or Elephant driver to venture in, as
they can be quite magical.
Jeep Safari in Corbett : Jeeps Safari, is the most
convenient way to travel within Corbett national park, and can be
rented for the park trips from Ramnagar, from the KMVN Tourist
Lodge and other travel agencies.
Preferred Time to Visit - Jim
Corbett National Park
The best visiting season of Corbett is from November 15 to June
15. Corbett remains closed between June 16 and November 14, when
the monsoons flood the river beds and cut the fragile road links.
Tourist Information Centres
All visitors to Corbett National Park have to obtain permits from
the park administration centre at Ramnagar. The closest of the
various gates into the Corbett national park, 1-m from central
Ramnagar, is on the road to Bijrani camp, 11-km away, a base for
day trips. Dhangarhi Gate, 18-kms along the highway north to
Ranikhet, provides access to the northern and north-western
portion of the Jim Corbett Park along the Ramnagar River valley,
and to the main camp of Dhikala.