Wildlife National Sanctuaries and Parks
  
Location: Near Nanital in Uttranchal
Main Wildlife Attractions:
Tigers, Leopards and Crocodiles
Coverage Area: 318 sq. km.
Best
Time to Visit: best time is from November to June
Project Tiger:
launched in 1973
Jim Corbett National Park creates the perfect ambience
for all the tales written on the man-eaters of Kumaon. Corbett has been a haunting
ground for erstwhile rulers as well as wildlife enthusiast from a long time.
Visitors are allowed in selected areas of Corbett Tiger Reserve so that they
can enjoy the beautiful panorama and the diverse wildlife living here. Tourist
throngs the wildlife national park from all over the country, in recent years
the number of people coming here has raised drastically. Every season more than
70,000 tourist visit the park from India and abroad.
Jim Corbett National
Park is situated in the foothills of the Himalyas of Northern India, in the state
of Uttranchal. The park was founded in 1936 and is spreads over an area of 318
sq. km. The park derived its name from the honored hunter and naturalist, Jim
Corbett. It was here that the 'PROJECT TIGER' was launched in 1973 to save the
India's shrinking tiger population. Corbett has the highest density of Tiger in
the country over one tiger every 10 sq. km. The charm of the park is added with
the twinkling Ramganga River that sweeps down through the hilly terrain of the
wild life and also stocks diversified flora, gives a safe harbor to crocodiles,
fish and surely create an idle abode for the great Indian Tigers.
Wild
Life Charms
Corbett is a home to the Royal Indian Tiger. Along with these
majestic beasts, other main inhabitants of the park are Elephants, Leopards and
Wild bore. Himalayan black beer, Himalayan palm civet, Indian Grey mongoose, common
otter, porcupine, black napped hare are the other attractions of this area. Corbett
is home of 50 species of mammals, 600 species of birds. There is also subtle Leopard
Cat, Jungle Cat. The Dole or Jackals are also recurrently sighted in the southern
areas of the park. Elephants are among the major attractions of Jim Corbett Park
as can be frequently see wandering in the park along with their little ones. The
park is also abode to 4 species of deer like the barking deer, para, kakkar, and
the well known spotted deer (chital). Long nosed Gharial and crocodiles can also
be seen luxuriating on the banks of the river, supported by numerous migratory
birds. There are numerous watchtowers and daytime photography is also allowed.
Great Indian Tiger
It is absolutely enchanting to sight
the tiger in its various subtlety of mood, luxuriating in the shade of tall grasses
of the woods or wading in water or stalking and geared to pounce upon its prey.
When this majestic beast is hungry then there is no turning back, it will chase,
hunt and grab any herbivore that comes in its way. It is really amazing to know
that how much co-ordination of time and surrounding is important for one such
hunting. Project Tiger aimed at preserving and protecting the tiger from extinction,
it was reveled through census that the tiger population was 40,000 in 1913 and
it drastically came down to 2,000 in 1970. With the measures taken up by the government
the tiger population has risen up to some extent.
Bird Watching in
the Wild
Corbett National Park is a paradise for the wonder-lust bird
watchers. About, 580 different varieties of local and migratory birds nestle here.
The idle time for bird watching is winter season, from December to February.
The park idle place for bird watching and offers diverse opportunities specially
near the ponds and water bodies, flying low on the blue waters or feeding their
young ones, it all creates a perfect ambience and a desired tourist destination.
Most of the water birds are the migrant variety, and arrive in winters. Some of
these are the bareheaded goose, duck, snipe, sandpiper, gull and wagtail. The
other residents of the park are darters, cormorants, egrets, herons, the black-necked
stork and the spur winged lapwings.
Vegetation in the Park
The wild Life Park has a hilly terrain passing swampy valleys, plateaus and ravines
with elevated green trees. A booming Sal forest is extended on the hilly slopes
and ridges, the splendorous fragrance of the Pam and Sal trees in the air is just
hypnotic. The lower areas in the wild is supported by flat land consists of towering
and narrow Sal trees. The middle lands are the home to Shisham and khair trees
while the topmost reaches of the mountains are abundant of bakli, chir, gurail
and bamboo trees.
Entry Permits: All visitors to Corbett National Park
have to obtain permit before 11am. at the Project Tiger office at Ramnagar to
get an entry in to the park.
General Information
There is
a daily bus service Ramnagar to Dikhala halting at the Forest Rest houses en route.
Banking and other important tourist facilities are available at Ramnagar and Lucknow.
Binoculars giving the detailed information about the wild are easily available
at the park and must be carried. One has to maintain the disciplines and the laws
of the wild by following the instructions written on the sign board, don't make
loud sounds as the creatures may turn furious or avoid wearing bright colors and
applying pungent perfumes.
Safari in the Wild
Tourist can
enjoy Elephant, Jeep, and many more safaris through difficult and rugged terrain
of the wild. The safari can be booked in advance at Project tiger office at the
Jim Corbett National Park. The wild life of the dense forest can be explored in
their most natural form by choosing safari from the diverse opportunities available
at the Jim Corbett National Park or by booking in advance at Project tiger office.
Opting for an elephant safari is real enthralling as animals are watched
from a raised platform making it a real royal ride. Elephant rides for wildlife
viewing, in the mornings and evenings, can be booked in the Dhikala complex.
Jeeps Safari is the most suitable and faster way to travel and explore the
dense and the interiors of the wildlife. The jeeps can be hired at Ramnagar from
the KMVN Tourist Lodge and from other travel agencies by making prior booking.
Accommodation
The best places to stay within the Park are
at Dhikala, Gairal and Bijrani.
Quality Inn Corbett Jungle Resort, 9km. from
the park is a nice pleasant cottage equipped with all modern facilities and an
excellent continental cuisine, available at Rs.3200 including meals.
Forest
Rest House in the Park is another lounge facilitate with generators is available
in Rs.500 per room.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to
visit the park is from mid November to mid June .It is closed from June to November.
Summer time is best for observing the large mammals as they come close to the
water bodies, and winter seasons for waterbeds.
Getting Around
Air: The nearest airport is Pantnagar airport 51km.away from the park.
By taking a taxi or a tourist bus one can reach Jim Corbett National Park.
Rail: Nearest Railhead is Ramnagar- 21km.from the Wild life Park.
It is easily accessible by road from Ramnagar. The Delhi Transport Corporation
buses also run from New Delhi to Ramnagar, Delhi-Gajrola-Moradabad-Kashipur-Ramnagar
(240 km) Bareilly-Kichha-Haldwani-Ramnagar (160 km).
Road: From
Ramnagar taxis and tourist cabs are easily available for the park and can be hired
at reasonable rates. Deluxe and semi-deluxe bus services can be availed from all
nearby places. Delhi Transport Corporation runs a semi-deluxe bus service.
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