Fact File
State : Uttaranchal
STD Code : 05945
Wildlife Found : Tigers, Leopards, Crocodiles
Coverage Area : 1,200-sq-kms.
Times to visit : October to June
Established in : 1936 as a National Park
Originally Names As : Hailey National Park
Renamed As : Corbett National Park In 1957
Declared As : A Tiger Reserve In 1973
Location:
This national park is located in the foothills of the Kumaon
Himalayas. Lying close to Ramnagar, Corbett national park is indeed
a retreat for travellers eyes.
Corbett National Park
This was one park that came first on Project Tiger Reserve Scheme
in 1973. Located at a distance of 260 kms from Delhi and 128 kms
from Nainital, the Corbett National Park is quite popular for its
big cats, especially the tiger. Despite the efforts of
conservationists, the tiger population of India is dwindling
rapidly, and Corbett National Park is one of the few parks where the
tiger can still be seen. The jungle have around 50 tigers in Corbett
and some other wildlife like leopards, several lesser cats, the wild
dog, porcupines, jackals, civets, sloth bear, black bear, wild boar
and a few hundred elephants.
History of Corbett National Park
Established in 1936, Corbett National Park initial name was Hailey
National Park. It is believed that Corbett National Park was once a
popular hunting grounds of British. This was 201 square mile park
and was named in honor of late Jim Corbett, the legendary
hunter-naturalist turned author and photographer. The project was
launched in Corbett National Park in 1972 with the help of World
Wildlife Fund.
The Fauna in Corbett National Park
Mammals:
Tigers, Elephants, Leopards / Panthers, Jungle cats, Fishing Cats,
Leopard cats, Himalayan black bears, Sloth bears, Jackals, Martens,
Dholes, Civets, Mongooses, Otters, Hares, Porcupines, Chital
(spotted deer), Sambar deer, Hog deer, Barking deer, Ghorals, Wild
Boars, Pangolins, Macaques, Langurs and Blue Bulls (Nilgais).
Birds:
Herons, Darters, Cormorants, Lapwings, Paradise Flycatchers,
Munias, Weaver birds, Fishing eagles, Serpent eagles, Spotted
Eagles, Black throated Payas, Mynas, Jungle Fowl, Vultures,
Thrushes, Barbets, Peacocks, peahens, Kingfishers, migrant Gulls,
Moorhens, Ducks, Geese, Sandpipers, Nightjars, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers,
Wagtails, Black winged Kits, Drongos, Doves, Plovers, Black necked
Storks, Parakeets, Owls, Chir Pheasants, Kalij Pheasants, Grebes,
Grey Lags, Snipes, Harriers, Ospreys, Minivets, Babblers, Hornbills,
falcons and Stone Curlews. Corbett has nearly 600 bird species
officially recorded in it's log books.
Fish:
Goonch, Mahaseer, Trout and many other smaller species.
Reptiles:
Gharials (fish eating Crocodiles), Mugger Crocodiles, Monitor
Lizards, turtles, Cobras, Pythons and the Sal forest Tortoise.
The Flora in Corbett National Park
Better known as the land of roar, trumpet, and songs, Corbett
national park tends to bring legend alive. Apart from its beauty,
the park is generally thronged by people to explore the many faceted
of the land.The landscape is beautified with Sal trees, Jamun,
Shisham, Khair, Mahua, Flame of the forest (Palash), Silk Cotton
tree (Simal) etc that depicts the vastness of the region.
Jeep Safari in Corbett
If you want to explore Jim Corbett, then Jeep Safari is probably
the best way to explore the park. You can fetch these rented cars
from Ramnagar or KMVN tourist lodge and other travel agencies. One
bus each day goes to Dikhala from Ramnagar, stopping at the Forest
Rest houses en route. Banking and other important tourist facilities
are available at Ramnagar.
Accommodation
As far as stay is concerned, you can live at Dhilkala having 103
beds. Apart from this, there are number of rest houses that will
make your stay in Jim Corbett a memorable experience. There is also
provision for caravans and tents. As far as tourists also have a
range of resorts to choose from, all located along the main
Ramnagar-Ranikhet road bordering the eastern edge of the park. These
are all high-end budget resorts but even for the budget tourists,
there are adequate options available in Ramnagar, the nearest town.
For more information, you can contact the local information
counter, at the Reception Centre, Corbett National Park, Ramnagar
(Ph: 05945 – 853189, 85332).
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