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Home >> Wildlife
Sanctuaries in India >> Corbett National Park & Sanctuary
Corbett National Park & Sanctuary
Jim Corbett National Park is 115-km from Nainital, via Kaladhungi. The pride
of Corbett National Park is the distinction of being the first national
park of India. It sprawls over an area of 1,200-sq-kms and was established
in the year 1935 as the Hailey National Park, after Sir William Malcohm
Hailey, an enthusiastic conservationist who was at that time governor of
united provinces.
In 1957, the park was re-christened as the Corbett National Park in the
memory of late Jim Corbett, legendary sportsman, great naturalist, eminent
conservationist and a profilic writer, who spent some of the best and happiest
years of his life in Kaladhungi and Nainital.
Flora In Corbett National Park
Aptly called the land of roar, trumpet, and songs, Corbett Park is a legend
come alive. The park embraces the picturesque patladiun, a broad flat valley
consisting of the vast savannas and surrounded by hills. Most of the core
area of 330-sq km at its heart remains out of bounds, and many visitors
are disappointed to find that safaris on foot are strictly forbidden; they
are only permissible in the fringe forests.
Fauna In Corbett National Park
Corbett is most famous for its large cats, and in particular the Tiger -
this was the first designated Project Tiger Reserve, in 1973 - but its Tigers
are extremely elusive. Sightings are very far from guaranteed, and should
be regarded as an unlikely bonus.
Corbet holds a great asortment of other animals. Large Elephant herds have
been confined within its boundaries since the construction of the Ramganga
Reservoir blocked migratory routes that formerly ranged as far as Rajaji
National Park, 200-km west. The best place to see them is around the picturesque
Dhikala Camp near the reservoir, especially in spring, when the water level
drops and the animals have more space to roam.
The reservoir shelters populations of Gharial, a long snouted fish-eating
Crocodile, and Maggar, a large marsh crocodile, and other reptiles. Jackal
are common, and Wild Boar run through the camps in the evenings. The grasslands
around Dhikala are home to deer species such as the spotted Deer known as
Chital, Hog Deer and the larger Sambar. Rhesus and common Langur are both
abundant, representing the two main classes of Indian Monkeys.
Bird life ranges from water birds such as the pied Kingfisher to birds of
prey, including the crested serpent Eagle, Pallas’s fishing eagle and Himalayan
greyheaded fishing Eagle.
Other Attractions In Jim Corbett National Park
Angling At Ramnagar
Situated in the rich farm belt of Terai, on the southeastern fringes of
the great forests, the busy market town of Ramnagar is the main administrative
centre for Corbet National Park and Project Tiger. Ramnagar makes a fishing
base camp. At Lohachaur, 15-kms north along the River Kosi, good anglers
are in with a chance of landing the legendary Mahseer, a redoubtable battling
River Carp. Permits to have a go must be sought from the Project Tiger office
in Ramnagar; most resorts also arrange all inclusive fishing trips.
Jeep Safari At Jim Corbett National Park
Jeeps Safari, is the most convenient way to travel within Corbett, and
can be rented for the park trips from Ramnagar, from the KMVN Tourist Lodge
and other travel agencies . One bus each day goes to Dikhala from Ramnagar,
stopping at the Forest Rest houses en route.
Chital, Sambar, and various other Deer species find refuge in the Savannah
grasslands known as the Maidan, behind the campsite to the south, and Tigers
are occasionally drawn in looking for prey. Two hour Elephant rides, explore
this sea of grass, rarely penetrating far into the deep jungles beyond.
Come early morning or evening; in the heat of the day you probably won’t
come across much more than deer among the tall grass. Tiger-sightings are
few and far between, but you may be rewarded with fresh pug marks.
How To Get There
Air
Phoolbagh, Pantnagar at a distance of 50-kms is the nearest airport.
Delhi at a distance of 300-kms is the nearest international airport.
Rail
Ramnagar is on the broad gauge track from where the road transport options
have to be availed to reach the park. For faster trains and connections
to other parts change at Moradabad.
Road
Dhikala is 300-kms from Delhi, 145-kms from Lucknow and 51-kms from
Ramnagar. The route from Delhi spans Hapur-Murababad-Ramnagar. The turn
off is some 7-kms beyond Muradabad to the left, marked by a small board.
The route from Lucknow spans Bareilly-Kichha-Rudrapur-Doraha-Kashipur. Ramnagar
is served by frequent buses to and from Nainital and Ranikhet, 112-kms north.
Buses arrive every half hour or so after the eight hour trip from Delhi;
Delhi Transport corporation run a semi deluxe service, and most of the alternatives
are pretty basic.
General Info on Jim Corbett National Park
Entry Inside The Corbett National Park
All visitors to Corbett National Park have to obtain permits from the
park administration centre at Ramnagar. The closest of the various gates
into the Corbett, 1-km from central Ramnagar, is on the road to Bijrani
camp, 11-km away, a base for day trips. Dhangarhi Gate, 18-kms along the
highway north to Ranikhet, provides access to the northern and north western
portion of the park along the Ramnagar River valley, and to the main camp
of Dhikala.
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