Jim Corbett National Park
The spectacular Jim Corbett National Park, located in the Himalayan foothills, is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. It is well-known for its tiger, leopard, and elephant populations in the wild. The Hailey National Park, which preceded Corbett National Park, was founded in 1936. Corbett, India's first national park and the first Project Tiger sanctuary, offers a diverse range of plants, making it an ideal habitat for the Tiger and its prey.
This 201-square-mile park was named in honour of the late Jim Corbett, a famed hunter-naturalist turned novelist and photographer who spent most of his life in this area and helped to establish the park. Project Tiger was begun in Corbett National Park in 1973 with the support of the World Wildlife Fund, and this park was one of the country's first tiger reserves.
Flora:
Hilly and riverine areas, temporary marshy depressions, plateaus, and ravines make up the varied landscape. Sal trees have almost totally taken over the lowest portions. There are 110 tree species, 50 animal species, 580 bird species, and 25 reptile species in Jim Corbett National Park.
Jim Corbett National Park is a major wildlife attraction. Corbett is a paradise for Tigers and their prey, which includes four different types of deer, wild boar, and a few lesser-known creatures. Leopards are usually seen in the park's steep parts. Leopard Cats, Jungle Cats, and Fishing Cats are some of the nocturnal cats found here. The Sloth Bear may be found in the park's lower parts, whereas the Himalayan Black Bear can only be found in the park's higher highlands. The Dole, sometimes known as the Wild Dog, can be seen in the park's southern parts alongside the Jackal.
Himalayan Palm Civet, Indian Gray Mongoose, Common Otter, Black-naped Hare, and Porcupine are some of the park's smaller residents. Jim Corbett Park is known for its elephants, which are one of the park's principal attractions. The long-snouted, fish-eating Gharial Crocodile and the Mugger Crocodile can be found along the Ramganga River's beaches. The Ghoral, or Goat Antelope, can also be found on the steep hillsides. The Langur and Rhesus Monkeys are widely scattered throughout the park, alerting the rest of the jungle with alarm calls when they spot a Tiger or Leopard from their treetop perches.
Other Attractions of Corbett:
Chital, Sambar, and other deer species seek sanctuary in the Savannah grasslands known as the Maidan, which are located behind the campsite to the south, and Tigers are occasionally attracted in search of prey. Two-hour elephant rides explore this sea of grass, rarely venturing far into the deep jungles beyond; try to persuade your Mahout or Elephant driver to go in, as it can be rather wonderful. Come around dark or dawn; in the heat of the day, you're likely to see nothing but deer in the long grass. Although tiger sightings are rare, you may be rewarded with fresh pug marks.
Corbett National Park has been separated into five different tourist zones in order to boost tourism in the area. These are the park's designated buffer or core region, where visitors can participate in a wildlife safari and observe the fascinating behaviour of the animals up close.
Bijrani Safari Zone: Because of its immense natural beauty and open grasslands, Bijrani Zone is a famous tourist destination. The zone's entry gate is only one kilometre from Ramnagar city.
Jhirna Safari Zone: Another popular tourist destination in the Jim Corbett National Park, Jhirna is open all year. Ramnagar city is 16 kilometres away from Jhirna Gate.
Dhela Safari Zone: In November 2014, Dhela, a new ecotourism zone in Corbett National Park, was added to the tiger reserve zone. In CTR, this is the only part of the reserve's buffer zone that is open to tourists. The zone attracts a great number of tourists due to its diverse flora and wildlife. It is open all year and is around 13 kilometres from Ramnagar City.
Dhikala Zone: As Corbett's largest and most jungle-safari varied zone, Dhikala is known for its immense natural beauty as well as the best sightings of exotic animals. Ramnagar city is 18 kilometres away from the entry gate. For true wildlife enthusiasts, a night stay inside the Dhikala Tourism Zone is highly suggested.
Durga Devi Zone: Located on the north-eastern frontier of the Jim Corbett National Park, Durga Devi Zone is a birdwatcher's paradise. Ramnagar city is around 36 kilometres away from the entry gate.
Sitabani Buffer Zone: The Sitabani Buffer Zone is not part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. If you enjoy the peaceful ambience of natural beauty, you must visit the Sitabani area.
General Information On Getting Inside The Corbett National Park:
Jim Corbett National Park is a major wildlife attraction. Corbett is a paradise for Tigers and their prey, which includes four different types of deer, wild boar, and a few lesser-known creatures. Leopards are usually seen in the park's steep parts. Leopard Cats, Jungle Cats, and Fishing Cats are some of the nocturnal cats found here. The Sloth Bear may be found in the park's lower parts, whereas the Himalayan Black Bear can only be found in the park's higher highlands. The Dole, sometimes known as the Wild Dog, can be seen in the park's southern parts alongside the Jackal.
Himalayan Palm Civet, Indian Gray Mongoose, Common Otter, Black-naped Hare, and Porcupine are some of the park's smaller residents. Jim Corbett Park is known for its elephants, which are one of the park's principal attractions. The long-snouted, fish-eating Gharial Crocodile and the Mugger Crocodile can be found along the Ramganga River's beaches. The Ghoral, or Goat Antelope, can also be found on the steep hillsides. The Langur and Rhesus Monkeys are widely scattered throughout the park, alerting the rest of the jungle with alarm calls when they spot a Tiger or Leopard from their treetop perches.
Other Attractions of Corbett:
Ramnagar is the principal administrative centre for Corbett National Park and Project Tiger and is located in the lush Terai agriculture zone on the southeastern edges of the vast forests. Ramnagar is an excellent fishing base camp. Good anglers can catch the famed Mahseer, a redoubtable fighting River Carp, at Lohachaur, 15 kilometres north along the River Kosi. Permits must be obtained from the Project Tiger office in Ramnagar, and most resorts also provide all-inclusive fishing expeditions.
Chital, Sambar, and other deer species seek sanctuary in the Savannah grasslands known as the Maidan, which are located behind the campsite to the south, and Tigers are occasionally attracted in search of prey. Two-hour elephant rides explore this sea of grass, rarely venturing far into the deep jungles beyond; try to persuade your Mahout or Elephant driver to go in, as it can be rather wonderful. Come around dark or dawn; in the heat of the day, you're likely to see nothing but deer in the long grass. Although tiger sightings are rare, you may be rewarded with fresh pug marks.
Jeep Safari in Corbett:
The most convenient way to travel throughout Corbett National Park is via Jeep Safari, which can be booked for park tours from Ramnagar, the KMVN Tourist Lodge, and other travel organisations. Every day, one bus departs Ramnagar for Dikhala, stopping at the Forest Rest Houses along the way. Ramnagar and Lucknow both have banking and other major tourism services.
Corbett National Park has been separated into five different tourist zones in order to boost tourism in the area. These are the park's designated buffer or core region, where visitors can participate in a wildlife safari and observe the fascinating behaviour of the animals up close.
Bijrani Safari Zone: Because of its immense natural beauty and open grasslands, Bijrani Zone is a famous tourist destination. The zone's entry gate is only one kilometre from Ramnagar city.
Jhirna Safari Zone: Another popular tourist destination in the Jim Corbett National Park, Jhirna is open all year. Ramnagar city is 16 kilometres away from Jhirna Gate.
Dhela Safari Zone: In November 2014, Dhela, a new ecotourism zone in Corbett National Park, was added to the tiger reserve zone. In CTR, this is the only part of the reserve's buffer zone that is open to tourists. The zone attracts a great number of tourists due to its diverse flora and wildlife. It is open all year and is around 13 kilometres from Ramnagar City.
Dhikala Zone: As Corbett's largest and most jungle-safari varied zone, Dhikala is known for its immense natural beauty as well as the best sightings of exotic animals. Ramnagar city is 18 kilometres away from the entry gate. For true wildlife enthusiasts, a night stay inside the Dhikala Tourism Zone is highly suggested.
Durga Devi Zone: Located on the north-eastern frontier of the Jim Corbett National Park, Durga Devi Zone is a birdwatcher's paradise. Ramnagar city is around 36 kilometres away from the entry gate.
Sitabani Buffer Zone: The Sitabani Buffer Zone is not part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. If you enjoy the peaceful ambience of natural beauty, you must visit the Sitabani area.
How to Get to Corbett:
The best way to get to the Corbett National Park, which is also the headquarters of CTR, is via Ramnagar. This little city is well connected to larger Indian cities such as Delhi, Moradabad, Nainital, and Bareilly by road and rail. It takes only half an hour to drive from Ramnagar to Corbett National Park. Ramnagar railway station is about 15 kilometres from the park.
By Road:
By Road:
Ramnagar has a well-developed road network that connects the various cities. The Corbett National Park is located approximately 260 kilometres from India's capital, Delhi. Uttarakhand's state government operates buses that travel directly to Corbett from Delhi, Moradabad, Haldwani, and Nainital at regular intervals.
By Rail:
By Rail:
Ramnagar's railway station receives trains from all across India, including Delhi, Moradabad, and Bareilly. From Delhi, there is a direct train to Ramnagar. You can board the Ranikhet Express, Corbett Link Express, or Kathgodam Express to get to Ramnagar quickly.
General Information On Getting Inside The Corbett National Park:
It is recommended that Visitors arrive at the park's entrance gate half an hour ahead of time to complete the necessary paperwork.
Tourist Information Centers: Permits are required for all visitors to Corbett National Park, which may be obtained at the park administrative centre in Ramnagar. The nearest of the numerous entrance gates into the Corbett national park is on the road to Bijrani camp, 11 kilometres distant, which serves as a base for day expeditions. Dhangarhi Gate, 18 kilometres north of Ranikhet, gives entry to the Jim Corbett Park's northern and northwestern sections along the Ramnagar River valley, as well as the major camp of Dhikala.
Suggested Reading:
Tourist Information Centers: Permits are required for all visitors to Corbett National Park, which may be obtained at the park administrative centre in Ramnagar. The nearest of the numerous entrance gates into the Corbett national park is on the road to Bijrani camp, 11 kilometres distant, which serves as a base for day expeditions. Dhangarhi Gate, 18 kilometres north of Ranikhet, gives entry to the Jim Corbett Park's northern and northwestern sections along the Ramnagar River valley, as well as the major camp of Dhikala.
Images Courtesy: Google