Corbett National Park First Among Equals

For an urban Indian, there is nothing quite like the first breath of fresh hill air. Clambering down from the Ranikhet Express at Ramnagar on chilly morning is enough to make you gasp. The carboniferous cocktail of the city is exhaled in a sigh, and the great Outdoors are rushing in to , leaf-cooled, earth scented. As you head towards Corbett- the road fringes on both sides with scrubby forest – the air,like a fine wine, just gets better and better, until one arrives at camp, and trumble from the jeep, giggly and intoxicated. After the unrelenting beige flatness of the plains, the gently billowing curves of the land are as refreshing for the eyes as cucumber pads, and the heavens feel- as indeed they are- that much closer.

Nestling in the foothills of the Himalaya, Corbett Tiger reserve lies in the hilly district of Nainital. Almora and Pauri Garhwal. At present the Tiger reserve covers an area of 1318 sq Km and includes within it the Corbett National Park ( 520 Sq Km) , Kalagarh Reserve forest ( 496 SQ Km) and Sonandi Wildlife Sanctuary (301 Sq Km). During the 19th century , much of the indigenous sal forests in this area were cleared and teak planted to provide timber for the burgeoning Indian Railways.

This rich hunting ground was first protected by Major Ramsey who, in 1858 banned farming and grazing in the lower Patlidun Valley, which today forms a large portion of the reserve. This protection was extended and strengthened in 1879 when the Forest Department declared it a Reserve Forest. Several attempts were made during the early 20th century to make this into a game Sanctuary, which finally happened in 1936 when Governor Malcolm Hailey created India;s first ( and the worlds third) National Park.

Hailey National Park, as it was then known, covered 325 sq Km, and Major James E Corbett was one of the key consultants in deciding its boundaries. His Key role in both creating the park and contributing to the preservation of its unique wildlife was formalised when the park wass renamed in his honour in 1957, two years after his death.

In 1973, Corbett was the first sanctuary to come under Project Tiger. The terrain is hilly, ranging from 600-1, 100m, consisting of mixed deciduous forests of sal and sheesham trees and the ubiquitous lantana bush, and open, grassy pastures known as chaurs. The Chaurs make up around one-tenth of the core area and make ideal grazing land for the park’s wild elephants, The park is home to around 580 bird species, 50 mammals and at least 25 reptile species, including the Indian python, cobra & krait.

Famed hunter-turned-conservationist James Edward ‘Jim’ Corbett was born on July 25, 1875. He was a colonel in the British Indian Army and was known for the hunting of man eating leopards and tigers. The British-Indian hunter and tracker-turned-conservationist, author and naturalist was of great help. He was frequently called upon mainly in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in places which were preyed by a large number of man-eating tigers and leopards.

He was an author and wrote books like Man-Eaters of Kumaon and Jungle Lore recounting his hunts and experiences through words. Although, his books were not popular at the time but were later critically acclaimed and even became commercially successful.

Corbett also played a key role in creating a national reserve for the endangered Bengal tiger. He used his influence to persuade the provincial government at the time to establish the Hailey National Park. He died on April 19, 1955 and the park was renamed Jim Corbett National Park in the year 1957 in his honour.

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India and was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to protect the endangered Bengal tiger. It is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand and was named after Jim Corbett who played a key role in its establishment. The park was the first to come under the Project Tiger initiative.

The park has sub-Himalayan belt geographical and ecological characteristics. An ecotourism destination, it contains 488 different species of plants and a diverse variety of fauna. The increase in tourist activities, among other problems, continues to present a serious challenge to the park’s ecological balance.

Corbett has been a haunt for tourists and wildlife lovers for a long time. Tourism activity is only allowed in selected areas of Corbett Tiger Reserve so that people get an opportunity to see its splendid landscape and the diverse wildlife. In recent years the number of people coming here has increased dramatically. Presently, every season more than 70,000 visitors come to the park.

Corbett National Park comprises 520.8 km2 (201.1 sq mi) area of hills, riverine belts, marshy depressions, grasslands and a large lake. The elevation ranges from 1,300 to 4,000 ft (400 to 1,220 m). Winter nights are cold but the days are bright and sunny. It rains from July to September.

Dense moist deciduous forest mainly consists of sal, haldu, peepal, rohini and mango trees. Forest covers almost 73% of the park, 10% of the area consists of grasslands. It houses around 110 tree species, 50 species of mammals, 580 bird species and 25 reptile species.

The weather in the park is temperate compared to most other protected areas of India. The temperature may vary from 5 °C (41 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F) during the winter and some mornings are foggy. Summer temperatures normally do not rise above 40 °C (104 °F). Rainfall ranges from light during the dry season to heavy during the monsoons .

Some Interesting Facts About Jim Corbett

Cartoons like the Jungle Book have always spurred our imagination about wildlife. The animals and the budding wildlife depicted in these cartoons always inspire us to explore at least one forest. Let’s discuss some of the interesting facts about one such national park where you can find amazing wildlife. It is Jim Corbett National Park!

Tourist Zones

Eco-tourism zone has been developed in the national park, which is divided into five major areas or zones for tourism. These are Bijrani Safari Zone, Jhirna Safari Zone, Durga Devi Zone, Dhikala Zone and Dhela Safari Zone. In fact, there are various resorts in Corbett Park which are situated in these zones. You can stay in Jim Corbett any of these hotels and witness wildlife.

Wildlife

The diverse fauna and flora allure visitors to this park. Not only the park has some good tiger population, but it also has other animals, like bears, elephant and a wide variety of birds. Known as the paradise of tigers, the place is famous for its diversified wildlife.

Best time to visit the park

The park opens only after the monsoon. Usually, November to June is the best time to visit the place. Especially the winter months from December to February has a pleasant climate. So you can plan your trip during these months.

Accommodations in Jim Corbett

Jim Corbett is one such wildlife destination where night stays are available. Various hotels in Jim Corbett are situated near the river and offer a fantastic view of the national park.

Other tourist attractions near the park

Kalagarh Dam, Garjiya Devi Temple, Jeep Safaris and Corbett Falls are some of the other tourist spots which are situated near the park.

Some important guidelines to note

• As it is a protected reserve, don’t disturb animals.
• Don’t litter the place, always carry a bag to collect waste
• Make sure to book a resort in Corbett park in advance
• Wear sober clothes and avoid bright colours as they may distract animals
• Don’t do flash photography; otherwise it may disturb animals