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.
