Corbett National Park

Northeast of Delhi by 186 miles is Corbett National Park, situated in the Himalayan foothills of Uttar Pradesh. 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 helped in demarcating the park's boundaries. 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.

Elephant Safari, Corbett

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 park are found 110 tree species, 50 mammals species, 580 bird species and 25 reptile species.

Corbett is a haven for tigers with its plentiful prey - four kinds of deer, wild boar and lesser animals. Leopards are found in the hilly areas of the park but often do not cross paths with tigers in their territories. Some nocturnal cats found here are the leopard cat, jungle cat and fishing cat. Sloth bear is found in the lower regions of the park while the Himalayan black bear is seen in the higher hills only. The dole (wild dog), though rare, can be seen in the southern areas of the park along with the jackal. Some of the smaller residents of the park are Himalayan palm civet, Indian gray mongoose, common otter, blacknaped hare and porcupine. Elephants (solitary bulls and breeding herds) are one of the main attractions of Corbett. Along the Ramganga River shores, one can spot the long-snouted, fish-eating gharial crocodile and the mugger crocodile. Also seen on the rocky hillsides is the ghoral (goat-antelopes). The langur and rhesus monkeys are well distributed through out the park and also warn the jungle with alarm calls when they see either a tiger or leopard from tree-top perches.

The grasslands, locally known as Chaurs, are limited. The largest grasslamnd is the Dhikala Chaur. Some of the best grasslands including the famous Buxor Chaur and the Beri Chaur were submerged in the Ramganga reservoir in 1974. The areas made available as a result of the relocation of the villages, Dhara, Jhirna and Kothirau in 1994 are being developed into grasslands through habitat management.

Location of the Park: Situated at an altitude of 120 and 400m (400 and 1250ft). Nearest railhead is at Ramnagar, approximately 19km (12 miles) southeast of the park. Nearest airport is at Pantnagar 50km (30 miles) away.

Corbett National Park Climate : Summer temperatures soar to 43°C (108°F) at max and 19°C ( 42.5°F) at Min., while on winter day temperature rises to 25°C (46°F) and dips to 3°C (33°F) .

When to go: Best period is between November and May; visibility of wildlife is better in the drier summer. Park remains closed in wet monsoon season from July to October.

How to Reach: The Delhi-Moradabad National Highway connects the Kashipur-Ramnagar-Dhikala network of towns. Project Tiger headquarters are at Ramnagar, mandatory entry point for the park. Bus services operate regularly along the Nainital-Kathgodam-Ramganagar-Dhikala route.

Facilities at Park: Basic facilities at Dhikala (forest rest houses and log huts), which has a canteen and shop selling provisions. Forest rest houses at Sarapdull, Gairal and Bijrani, all within the park. More up market hotels in nearby Ramnagar; Corbett Infinity Resort (Tiger Tops), Corbett River Side Resort are good to relax.

Booking for Corbett National Park : Contact : The Field Director, Poject Tiger, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Post Office; Ramnagar, Nainital District, Uttranchal

Jeep Safari, Corbett

Conservation History
The Reserve area was named as 'Hailey National Park' in 1936. This was renamed in 1954-55 as 'Ramganga National Park' and again in 1955-56 as 'Corbett National Park'. Its the oldest National Park of India. It was one of the nine Tiger Reserves created at the launch of the Project Tiger in 1973. The original area of the Park was 323.75 sq. km. to which 197.07 sq. km. was added later. An area of 797.72 sq. km. was added as buffer of the Corbett Tiger Reserve in 1991. This area includes the whole of Kalagarh Forest Division (including 301.18 sq. km. area of Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary), 96.70 sq. km. of Ramnagar Forest Division and 89 sq. km. The administrative control over the entire area is that of the Field Director of the Reserve.

Forest Types
Northern Moist Deciduous, Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous, Himalayan Subtropical Pine Forests

Main Species(Flora)
Sal, Khair, Sissoo, Ber, Kuthber, Bel, Chbilla, Dhak, Semal, Khingan, Kharpat, Rohini, Bakli, Pula and Bamboo

Main Species(Fauna)

Sambar Deer, Corbett

Mammals: Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Cheetal , Sambar , Hog Deer, Barking Deer , Wildboar Langoor And Rhesus Monkey.

Birds : Peacock, Jungle Fowl, Partridges, Kaleej, Crow, Vulture, Parakeets, Laughing Thrush, Orioles, King Fishers, Drongo, Doves, Woodpeckers, Ducks, Teals, Storks, Cormorants and Seagulls .

Reptile : Indian Marsh Crocodiles Or Mugger , Gharials , King Cobra, Common Krait , Cobra, Russel , Python and Monitor Lizard .

Pisces : Mahaseer , Kalimuchi , Kalabasu , Chilwa and Goonch.