Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park Facts

• Location- Naintal district

• State- Uttaranchal

• Famous for- Tiger reserve

• Timings- 06:00 am to 11:00am and from 02:30 pm to 05:30 pm

• Best time to visit- 15 November to 15 June every year

• Altitude- 400 to 1,200m

• Weather - Summer (20 degrees to 40 degree Celsius)

Winter (05 degrees to 30 degree Celsius)

• Climate- temperate

Jim Corbett National is one of the distinguished wildlife reserves in India. It holds the distinction of being the pioneer of the Project Tiger for India an animal for which the park is famous for. Earlier a part of Uttar Pradesh and now Uttaranchal this park abounds in flora and fauna and is also home to a wildlife population which constitutes tigers, leopards which are both the pride of Wild in India and at the same time equally face the challenge of being endangered. Apart from that there are a number of mammals, reptiles, insects and trees species which are all preserved in this natural ecological habitat.

History- From 1815 to 1820 the National Tiger reserve as we know it today served as a private property for the local rulers. There was little attention paid to this wildlife reserve by the owners of the property or the government and it took almost thirty years for the first plan for the parks conservation to be drafted and implemented. The park has always been famous for the resident tiger population. Another interesting part of the park’s history is also known for the times it was named and renamed. Firstly Hailey National Park in 1936 followed by Ramganaga National Park in 1954-55 and finally Jim Corbett National Park in 1955-56. This park was named after Jim Corbett, a hunter turned conversationalist who hunted down tigers in the region. Another important milestone of the park is the Tiger Project that was initiated by the Governement of India in 1973.

Main wildlife attractions of the Jim Corbett National Park- The Jim Corbett National Park is habitat for wildlife and is known for the Indian tiger and its prey that includes the deer, wild boars and various other small and lesser known animals. The hilly regions of this park are home to both leopards and other species of night-time predicators that include wild cat, jungle cat and also fishing cat. The lower regions of the park are known for Himalayan black bear. Wild dogs and Dole dogs are also an important feature of the park along with jackals. The other small residents of park include Indian grey mongoose, black napped hare and porcupine. Elephants are also a part of the park. Along the Ramganaga shores one can also see the long snouted fish eating gharial crocodile and the mugger crocodile. The rocky hillsides are also known for ghoral and goat antelopes. Apart from that the park is also known for Indian langur and Rhesus monkeys that can be found throughout the park.

Safaris in and around – The Jim Corbett National Park is known for the various zones for Safaris

• Bijrani Safari zone- The Bijrani Safari zone is one of the most popular and at the same time sort after safari zone in the park. The zone is enriched with a population of tigers and offers an opportunity for tiger spotting specially for tourists. The entry to zone is known as Amanda Gate. The best time for safaris in this zone is in the late mornings and towards evenings. The Bijrani and the Malani forest guest house also serve as best option for overnight stayers.

• Dhikala Safari Zone- The zone is located at the edge of the broad Patli dun valley. The Dhikala Safari zone offers a perfect view of the Kanda ridge. A jeep safari through this region is certainly a must as this zone is popular for its various animals’ sightings. There is an old and historic Dhikala guest house that serves as a perfect stopover for overnight stayers.

• Domunda Safari Zone- The Domunda Safari zone is a popular spot for both nature and adventure lovers. Firstly the bank of the river Ramganaga is popular for wide variety of fish and aquatic life which is on display. Apart from that the Durgadevi Safari zone is also a popular jeep Safari route. However tourists need to obtain a necessary permit for the same. For nature lovers there is the Corbett Museum which is a must visit. The natural museum documents the entire evolutions and existence of the park.

• Jhirnai Safari zone- The Jhirnai safari zone is known for its exquisite natural beauty and also for its frequent wild bear sightings. Morning trips are ideal. However it also must be noted that one has to book five six days in advance for the trail before the actual Corbett Safari. This is the only tour zone in the region that is open for 12 hours.

Accommodations available in the park- Dhikala, Garial and Bijrani safari zone within the park also serve as accommodation for tourists. Hotels in Corbett Park consist of various cottages with balconies. The other sources for lodging in and around the park include mud huts, standard rooms, jungle cottages and also river view cottages.

How to reach Corbett National Park-

• By Air- the Park does not have its own air strip or helipad. The nearest air terminal to the park is the Phoolbaug which lies at a distance of 50 km from the park.

• By rail- The nearest railway station to the Corbett Park is Ramnagar. The railway station is connected to main railheads of all cities in India

• By Road- The national Park is connected to various cities through a good network of roads.

¤ The Accommodation Available Within the Park

Dhikala, Gairal and Bijrani. However, Dhikala is rather crowded with tourists. It is advisable to stay in Gairal, which is quiet and offers excellent sightings. A notice at Gairal (“Survivors will be prosecuted”) warns against swimming in the Ramganga because of gharials (a species of crocodile) that can kill human beings. Ramnagar, the headquarters of Project Tiger, is also a good place to stay. Jeeps can be hired from here for safaris into the Park, and accommodation is better than at Dhikala and Gairal.


¤ Flora Attraction

Corbett National Park is rich in vegetation, with different kinds of trees and shrubs. The lower reaches of the Park, where the land is flat compared to the upper reaches, consists of tall and slender sal (Shorea robusta) trees. Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo) and khair (Acacia katechu) trees are found in the middle reaches, while the upper reaches of the mountains are full of bakli (Anogeissus latifolia), chir (Pinus roxburghii), gurail (Bauhinia racemosa) and bamboo trees. The Park is dotted with lantana shrubs, a species that is a great cause for concern. Imported years ago from America, the lantana shrub ensures that nothing else grows near it. In the Park are 110 species of trees, 51 species of shrubs, and over 33 species of bamboo and grass that are mostly found in chowds, or meadows.


¤ Wildlife Attractions

Corbett National Park has more than 50 species of mammals, 585 species of birds and 25 species of reptiles, but the Park is known for its elephants and leopards, not its tigers. Many kinds of deer, namely chital (spotted deer), sambar (Indian stag), chinkara (Indian gazelle), pada (hog deer) and muntjac (barking deer) abound in the Park.


¤ Tiger Sighting

Tiger sighting is rare, in spite of a lot of alarm calls from monkeys and deer. Elephant herds comprising tuskers, females and calves are commonly seen. However, an elephant herd with calves is perhaps the most dangerous encounter in the wild, for elephants are very possessive of their young and do not hesitate to charge at intruding human beings.

Leopard sighting is even rarer than that of the tiger, and these spotted cats confine themselves to the higher reaches of the Park. Other feline species found in the Park are leopard cats, jungle cats, the rare fishing cat, and caracal, to name a few. Sloth bears, wild boars, monkeys, dholes (wild dogs), jackals and ghorals (mountain goats) also inhabit the Park.


¤ Aquatic Reptile Population

The aquatic reptile population in the Park consists of mugger (Crocodylus palustris) and gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) crocodiles, while Indian rock pythons, Russell’s vipers, cobras, king cobras and common kraits are some of the snakes found in the Park. Bird life includes parakeets, flycatchers, babblers, cuckoos, robins, bulbuls, Indian and Great Pied hornbills, warblers and finches, to name a few.


¤ Safaris

Elephant safaris can be arranged in Dhikala and Bijrani. 2hrs, Rs 120 for foreigners, Rs 20 for Indians.

Jeep safaris are available from outside the Park as well as from Dhikala. 2hrs, Rs 500. Rs 800 (plus petrol) for full day, can be hired from Ramnagar.