Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park Named after Jim Corbett is famous in India for its Tiger Conservation Project. It was constructed in 1935 as Hailey National Park after the then governor Malcolm Hailey. In 1957 the name was changed to Corbett National Park after Jim Corbett. Corbett is at a distance of 82 km from Nainital. Jim Corbett lived here from 1875 to 1939. Remains of his dog are still kept there. Turned into a museum, today tourists find his personal belongings like pictures, letters and stuffed animals. Corbett falls are a few steps from here.

The Corbett National Park, or Tiger heaven, is paradise to any wildlife lover living on the face of the earth. Presently more than 70000 Indian and foreign tourists flock the park every year. Corbett National Park lays in two districts—Nainital and Pauri and is also known for its breathtaking landscapes. It is Asia’s first national park. After independence it was called Ramganga National Park and on April 1, 1973 with the joint effort of World Wide Fund for Nature the First tiger conservation project was started in India.

40000 tigers inhabited India in the 20^th Century, which gradually reduced to 1800 in 1972. This created a major ripple and thus started the Tiger Conservation projects. Today the count is 4000. Corbett National Park has holds 138 of them. Situated in the Terrai region of the Shivalik Himalayas, in the Kumayun and Garowal districts the Corbett National Park core area is 525.8 sq km in range.  The Ramganga River borders two sides of the park creating a boundary with the Kumayun and Garhwal. On the other side of the park is the Kalagadh River. River Kosi is also a significant source of water for the Sanctuary.

Not only for its vast coverage Corbett is also known in India for its tigers. While tigers are the main attraction added attractions to the tourists include elephants, deers, ghadiwal, hyena, fox, magar, chital, hog-deer, black bear, nilgai, shambar, sloth bear, red fox, and leopards under the peaceful shades of Sal and Shishu. Crocodiles, ghadiwal, and turtles are abundant in the Ramganga. Chir, Pine, nearly extinct palm add to the greenery. Also found are more than 50 species of amphibians and more than 850 species of birds in including Hornbill, Orial, Paradise flycatcher, spotted dove attract tourists to the Corbett National Park. Reptiles are also found in abundance here.

Habitat types of Corbett are utterly diverse i.e. mountains, Sal forests, chaurs, khair-sissoo forests, and rivers have their distinct assemblage of plants. More than 600 species of trees, shrubs, herbs, bamboos, grasses, climbers and fern have found their home in the park. Added attraction to the tourists is the migratory birds. They visit the park in winters. Local birds too are found in large numbers. Fishing is also an added attraction to the tourists visiting the Corbett national Park. A large quantity of Sporting fish such as mahseer and malee thrive in the lake and in the river of the park.

Corbett National Park has 14 Observation towers. 6:30 am to 4.30 pm is the official timing of the park which can be enjoyed on an elephant ride for four. Dhikala houses the office to the park. Guides, transport etc are available from Dhikala itself.  It also holds a screening of films of the animals of the reserve. Tourists must always follow the golden rule—“Walking can be suicidal”.

The best weather for visiting Corbett National Park is found from November to May. It also officially facilitates tourists from 15 November to 15 June.  Palsh and other wild flowers flock the park. They are found anywhere and everywhere in the park multiplying its beauty manifold.