Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park is known for its varied wildlife, and as the site for the launching of the Project Tiger. Corbett National Park was one of the nine tiger reserves created at the launch of the Project Tiger in 1973. The original area of the Corbett National Park was 323.75 sq. km. to which 197.07 sq. km. was added later. In 1991, an area of 797.72 sq. km was further added as buffer area of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Its area includes Kalagarh forest division and Ramnagar forest division. The mammals found in the Corbett National Park include the Tiger, Elephant, Chital, Sambar, Nilgai (Bluebull), Gharial, King Cobra, Muntjac, Wild Boar, Hedgehog, Common Musk Shrew, Flying Fox and Indian Pangolin. Though Corbett is called the 'Land of the roar and trumpet', birding in Corbett and the surrounding areas is a great attraction for bird-watchers all around the world as nearly 600 species of birds can be seen here.

Pangot a small and neat village which ends before it begins is about 15 km from Nainital. Just 3 km from Kilbury, nestled in deep deodar forests it has a fantastic view of unbroken green valleys. With about 15 houses, a temple and couple of shops, it is small by any standard. A birder’s paradise, it is also a walker’s delight. The drive from Bara Patthar to Pangot is one of the most scenic though needing skill since the road is narrow and at places “toota phoota”. There are many explored and unexplored“pagdandis” (mountain tracks) in and around Pangot.

Tourist Places in Jim Corbett

The wildlife in Corbett National Park consists of a great variety of flora and fauna species. The park was set up in 1936 as Hailey National Park; the name was changed one more time before the park was finally named Jim Corbett National Park after the famous hunter and conservationist who was a key figure in the development of the park. Besides the Indian wildlife on display here, there are many other tourist attractions in Jim Corbett National Park.
Tourist attractions in Jim Corbett National Park:

Fauna:
The richness of the fauna found in Corbett attracts a lot of visitors every year to this National Park, making it very important for wildlife tourism in India. The fauna found in the forest includes tigers, elephants, Himalayan black bear, sloth bear, spotted deer, wild boar, langur and rhesus monkey, besides about 580 species of resident and migratory birds.

Flora:
About 110 species of plants can be spotted in Corbett National Park . Sal and Shisham are the dominant species, but the forest is also home to many shrubs, herbs and flowering plants. Grasslands also form an important part of the flora in Corbett.


Dhikala:
This is one of the major tourist attractions in Jim Corbett and offers excellent views of the Patli Dun Valley which has the Ramganga river flowing through it. There is a watchtower near Dhikala that provides a high vantage point for viewing elephants and other animals in the chaurs or grasslands. The old guest house was built over a hundred years ago and is yet another place to visit.

Bijrani:
This area was once part of the shooting block. The place has diverse vegetation and offers a splendid view of the surrounding areas.

Corbett Wildlife Museum:
This museum preserves the belongings and other artifacts related to Jim Corbett. It also has many artifacts which relate to the history of the development of Corbett National Park .

Jhirna rest house, Garjia temple, Crocodile Pool, Corbett fall, Getheryo Library, and the Jim Corbett House are some of the other tourist attractions in Jim Corbett National Park.

Touristplacesinindia.com offers all inclusive information about Jim Corbett National Park and other tourist places in India.

How to Reach Jim Corbett Park, Uttarakhand

Jim Corbett National Park is situated in the state of Utarakhand in Northern India. The National Park is one of the major wildlife destinations in India. Tourism in Jim Corbett is one of the major aspects of tourism in Uttarakhand. To cater to the ever rising tourist inflow, transportation to Corbett has improved immensely. Tourists can now avail of many modes of transport to reach Corbett. Touristplacesinindia offers updated information on how to reach Corbett and other information about the National Park.

Jim Corbett National Park By Air:
The nearest international airport is in Delhi which is 300 kilometers from Dhikala. There is another small airport at a distance of 50 kilometers in Phootbagh, Pantnagar. Tourist arriving at Lukhnow airport can also access Corbett by road.

Jim Corbett National Park By Rail:
Ramnagar is the nearest railway station at a distance of 14 kilometers. Ranikhet Express is a daily overnight train connecting Ramnagar and Delhi. Moradabad is the nearest junction from where tourists can find trains to all parts of India.

Jim Corbett National Park By Road:
Road access to Corbett is as good an option as rail and air travel. The road journeys can actually be more enjoyable as one can enjoy the landscape and make the occasional stopovers. Dhikala is 300 kilometers from Delhi, while Lukhnow and Ramnagar are at a distance of 145 and 51 kilometers respectively. The route from Delhi passes through Hapur , Moradabad, and Ramnagar.

Dhangarhi on the Ramngar Ranikhet road is the main entrance to the Park. Dhangarhi is 19 kilometers away from Ramnagar. Dhikala is 35 kilometers from Dhangarhi. Another approach is from Kalagarh which can be accessed from Moradabad. Amdanda is another entrance to the park , six kilometers from Ramnagar.

Touristplacesinindia.com offers all inclusive information about Transportation to Jim Corbett and other information about the tourist places in India.

Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest and one of the largest national parks in India. Situated along the Ramganga River at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, the park serves as a protected area for the endangered Bengal Tiger of India. The Jim Corbett National Park is a haven for the adventure enthusiasts and wildlife adventure lovers. It is the first national park in India which comprises 520.8 km area of riverine belts, hills, marshy depressions, large lake and grass lands. It can be explored by jeep safari, as well as on elephant back which is a thrilling experience of its kind. There are over 488 different species of plants and 585 species of resident and migratory birds in the park including eagle, blossom-headed parakeet and red junglefowl. Bengal tigers cannot be easily found due to abundance of camouflage in the reserve.

Jim Corbett National Park Weather

Corbett weatherLocation: Nainital District, Uttarakhand Altitude: Around 360m - 1,040 m Summer Temperature: 20o C to 40o C Winter Temperature: 5o C to 30o C Best Time to Visit: November to June

Jim Corbett National Park has a temperate climate. Like the rest of India, Corbet also experiences the three distinct seasons, namely summer, winter and monsoon. The rare species of wildlife, which finds refuge in the wildlife reserve, is well-adapted to these seasonal variations and temperature. For the convenience of both the animals as well as the tourists, the park remains open between the months of November and June, which agreeably is the best time to visit the park. However, to prepare yourself for the expedition, it is necessary to know the weather and climatic conditions of the place.

Jim Corbett National Park Weather in Summer
The summer season commences from the month of March and lasts till mid-June. The days can be very hot during this time, with the temperature crossing the 40o C mark most of the times. The scorching heat of the sun becomes quite unbearable for the animals as well as the inhabitants. Also, a hot wind, specific to the region blows throughout the day, during summers. As a result, a thick cloud of suspended dust develops over the region, which is cleared by occasional thunderstorms.

Jim Corbett National Park Weather in Monsoon
The onset of the monsoon is witnessed in mid-June, which lasts up too October. The rain showers bring respite to the parching landscape from the blazing temperature. The weather becomes quite pleasant with the drop in temperature. However, the park is closed for the tourists during the rainy season because this is primarily the mating season of most of the animals. Apart from this, the area is also prone to soil erosion and land slides which can prove to be risky. During monsoons, the humidity soars up to 98 percent, making the weather very sultry.

Jim Corbett National Park Weather in Winter
Winter months from November to February are ideal to explore the bounds of the park. During this time, the park heartily welcomes all the tourists. The weather is balmy during this time of the year. The humidity level also drops down to about 57%. Animals are also easily visible during this time as they come out to bask in the sun. While the days are delightful, the nights are fairly cold. The night temperature can fall down to 5o C. During the night, a local wind known as 'dadu' blows in the region, lowering the temperature significantly.

How to Reach Jim Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park is located at the foothills of the Himalayas in the Nainital District of Uttarakhand. Being one of the oldest parks of India, it is quite popular amongst tourists. It is not only a rage amongst the domestic tourists but is equally appreciated by foreign visitors. Being established with an aim to preserve primarily the endangered Bengal Tigers, the park now boasts of rich flora and fauna. The biodiversity visible within the bounds of this park is simply amazing. However, due to the fact that a large number of enthusiasts visit the renowned park, it is important to know the means of traveling or getting to Corbet. To know how to reach Jim Corbett National Park, read on.

Reach Jim Corbett National Park By Air
The National Park does not have its own airstrip or helipad. For domestic tourists, the nearest airport is Phoolbagh (Pantnagar), which lies at a distance of 50 km from the park. From Pantnagar, you can take flights to travel to major cities of India. There are regular flights operating to New Delhi and Lucknow, from here.

Reach Jim Corbett National Park By Rail
To reach the Corbett National Park, the nearest railway station is located at Ramnagar, which is the terminus of Delhi - Moradabad - Ramnagar broad gauge branch of North East Railway. From here, trains are easily available to reach major cities across the country. One of the regular trains, which operate from Delhi to Ramnagar, is the Ranikhet Express.

Reach Jim Corbett National Park By Road
Jim Corbett National Park is connected to major cities of India via a good network of roads. There are regular buses which ply from important cities like Delhi, Lucknow and Ramnagar. For reaching Jim Corbett National Park from New Delhi, the Hapur - Muradabad - Ramnagar route is quite suitable. Private taxis can also be hired to reach the Park.

Garjia Devi

Garjia Devi

Garjia Devi temple to be located in a quite wondrous place! Right in the middle of river Kosi, stood a tall pillar like mount with Garjia Devi in a tiny temple on its top.

Since it was Navratri, we had to wait for a very long time in a queue before our turn came. Nonetheless, the wait was pleasant, as we observed the merry conglomeration of people who had come from as far as Nainital to pay homage here. The icy crystal waters of the river, famed for its fresh-water trout, and the numerous stalls around the banks found us happily absorbed.

Rivers in Corbett

For the survival of such a remarkable gamut of floral and faunal species in Jim Jim Corbett National Park , water is a crucial factor. The Ramganga river forms the most prominent hydrological resource, supplemented by tributaries, most prominent of which are the Sonanadi, Mandal and Palain rivers. The river Kosi runs proximate to the Park and is also a significant water resource for nearby areas. Wildlife is dependent on rivers, more so in the dry season, for they provide drinking waters and also forms home to several key aquatic species.

Ramganga

Ramganga river is crucial for Corbett infact without it there would be no Corbett. It is the largest of the precious few perennial sources of water in the Park. A rain-fed river originating near Gairsain in the Lower Himalayas, the Ramganga traverses more than 100 km before entering Corbett near Marchula. Inside the Park it flows roughly 40 km till Kalagarh where it enters the plains. During this run through the Park it gathers waters from the Palain, Mandal and Sonanadi rivers.

The Ramganga is inhabited by key aquatic species like mahseer fish, the endangered gharials, mugger crocodiles, otters and turtles. Many species of birds, like kingfishers, fish-eagles, terns and storks depend on the Ramganga. During winters the Ramganga reservoir attracts many migratory bird species, especially waterbirds from Europe and Central Asia.

Kosi
The Kosi is a perennial river like the Ramganga and its catchment lies partially in Corbett NP. From Mohan through Dhikuli till Ramnagar, the Kosi forms the eastern boundary of Jim Corbett National Park. Even though the Kosi does not enter the Park boundary, wild animals from Corbett use it for drinking especially during pinch periods. Its bed is strewn with boulders and its flow is erratic and often changes course. Kosi is notorious for its unpredictable and damaging torrents during monsoon. Like Ramganga, the Kosi too is inhabited by mahseer and attracts migratory birds.

Sonanadi
The Sonanadi is an important tributary of the Ramganga. Named after this river the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary adjoins Jim Corbett National Park and forms an important part of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The Sonanadi enters the Park from the northwest direction and meets the Ramganga at the reservoir.

The name Sonanadi means river of gold. At one time grains of gold, found in the alluvial deposits washed down from the higher areas, were extracted from the bed sand by sieving, washing and mercury treatment.

Mandal and Palain
The Mandal rises in the eastern heights in Talla Salan in Chamoli district. Forming a part of the northeastern boundary, Mandal flows for 32 km and joins the Ramganga at Domunda a little distance above Gairal. During the dry season, the Mandal contains very little water but during the monsoons it turns into a furious torrent. It forms a vital breeding ground for the endangered mahseer. The Palain is the third important tributary of the Ramganga and enters the Park from a northern direction. It meets the Ramganga about 3 km north of the Ramganga reservoir.
Sots
Sot is the local name for a seasonal stream. While traveling across the park you may cross several of these bouldery dry streams. Though most of them appear dry and lifeless, they are very important for the Park ecology. Animals depend on these sots for their drinking water requirements for a good part of the year. There are some sots in Corbett that are perennial, important ones being Paterpani, Laldhang, Kothirao, Jhirna, Dhara and Garjia. Since water is a limiting factor, these perennial sots provide water to wildlife during pinch periods. Many of these sots are covered with thick growth of evergreen shrubs and bamboo clumps which form ideal shelter for many animals including the tiger.

Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the newly created state of Uttarakhand is haven for wildlife lovers in India. The present area of the Corbett national park is 1318.54 sq. km. including 520 sq. km. of core area of and 797.72 sq. km. of buffer area. The core area of the Corbett tiger reserve forms the Corbett National Park while the buffer contains reserve forests (496.54 sq.km.) as well as the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary (301.18 sq.km.) Flat valleys are interspersed with hilly ridges and the Park's rolling grasslands provide an excellent view of its rich eco system.

Corbett National Park is one of India's most beautiful wildlife areas has a tiger population of around 160, which makes this park as the last and the most important bastion of this endangered species in India.

Corbett Park’s 1318.54 square kilometers of virgin forest and jungle are home to numerous other species of fauna. The rich biodiversity of the park is a perfect place for bird enthusiasts; the area is considered one of the best bird-watching areas in India, with some 600 species having been sighted in the park.

The different habitat types of Corbett Park i.e. mountains, Sal forests, chaurs (grasslands), khair-sissoo forests, and rivers have their distinct assemblage of plants. More than 600 species of birds, trees, shrubs, herbs, bamboos, grasses, climbers and ferns have been identified in the Corbett Park. The most visible trees found in Corbett Park are Sal, Sissoo and Khair. Many other species that contribute to the diversity are found scattered throughout the Corbett park. Chir Pine is the only conifer of the Park and is found on ridge-tops. The upper reaches near Kanda ridge have Oak growing, which is essentially a Himalayan species. Other major tree species seen in and around Corbett park are Bel, Kusum, Mahua, Bakli.

Edward James Corbett

Edward James Corbett was born of Irish ancestry in the town of Nainital in the Kumaon the Himalayas (now in the Indian state of Uttarakhand). Jim grew up in a large family of 13 children and was the eighth child of Willam Christopher and Mary Jane Corbett. His parents had moved to Nainital in 1862, after Christopher Corbett had been appointed postmaster of the town. In winters, the family used to move to the foothills, where they owned a cottage named 'Arundel' in Chhoti Haldwani or 'Corbett's Village' now known as Kaladhungi. After his father's death, when Jim was 4 years old, his eldest brother Tom took over as the postmaster of Nainital. From a very young age, Jim was fascinated by the forests and the wildlife around his home in Kaladhungi. At a young age he learned to identify most animals and birds by their calls - owing to his frequent excursions. Over time he became a good tracker and hunter. Jim studied at the Oak Openings School, later merged with Philander Smith College in sher-ka-danda ( which later renamed Birla Vidya Mandir) in Nainital. Before he was 19, he quit school and found an employment with the Bengal and North Western Railway, initially working as a fuel inspector at Manakpur in the Punjab, and subsequently as a contractor for the trans-shipment of goods across the Ganges at Mokameh Ghat in Bihar.

Between 1907 and 1938, Corbett tracked and shot a documented 19 tigers and 14 leopards — a total of 33 recorded and documented man-eaters. It is estimated that these big cats had killed more than 1,200 men, women and children. The first tiger he killed, the Champawat Tiger in Champawat, was responsible for 436 documented deaths. He also shot the Panar Leopard, which allegedly killed 400 people. This leopard's skull and dentition showed advanced, debilitating gum disease and tooth decay, such as would limit the animal in killing wild game and drive it towards man-eating. One of the most famous was the man-eating Leopard of Rudraprayag, which terrorised the pilgrims to the holy Hindu shrines Kedarnath and Badrinath for more than ten years.

Other notable man-eaters he killed were the Talla-Des man-eater, the Mohan man-eater, the Thak man-eater and the Chowgarh tigress.

Analysis of carcasses, skulls and preserved remains show that most of the man-eaters were suffering from disease or wounds like porcupine quills embedded deep in the skin or old gunshot wounds, which never healed. The Thak man-eating tigress, when skinned by Corbett, revealed two old gunshot wounds; one in her shoulder had become septic, and as Corbett suggested, could have been the reason for the tigress to have turned man-eater. In the foreword of Man Eaters of Kumaon, Corbett writes,

"The wound that has caused a particular tiger to take to man-eating might be the result of a carelessly fired shot and failure to follow up and recover the wounded animal, or be the result of the tiger having lost his temper while killing a porcupine".

Corbett preferred to hunt alone and on foot when pursuing dangerous game. He often hunted with a small dog named Robin, about whom he wrote much in his first book The Man-Eaters of Kumaon. At times, Corbett took great personal risks to save the lives of others. Still remembered in India as a great preservationist, his memories command fond respect in the areas where he worked
wikipedia.org

Jim Corbett (hunter)

Edward James "Jim" Corbett (25 July 1875 in Nainital, India – 19 April 1955 in Nyeri, Kenya) was a British hunter, conservationist, author and naturalist, famous for slaying a large number of man-eating tigers and leopards in India.

Corbett held the rank of colonel in the British Indian Army and was frequently called upon by the government of the United Provinces, now the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, to slay man-eating tigers and leopards who had killed people in the villages of the Garhwal and Kumaon region. His success in slaying the man-eaters earned him much respect and fame amongst the people residing in the villages of Kumaon, many of whom considered him a sadhu (saint).

Corbett was an avid photographer and after his retirement, authored the Man-Eaters of Kumaon, Jungle Lore and other books recounting his hunts and experiences, which enjoyed much critical acclaim and commercial success. Corbett spoke out for the need to protect India's wildlife from extermination. The Jim Corbett National Park in Kumaon was named in his honour in 1957.
Wikipedia.org

Corbett National Park General Information

Core Area- : 520.82 sq. km, Buffer Area- : 797.72 sq. km, Total Area- : 1318.54 sq. km. Longitude: 7805' E to 7905' E, Latitude: 29025'E to 29040' N, Altitude: 365 m - 1100 m above MSL

Corbett National park

Corbett National park is known for its varied wildlife, and as the site for the launching of Project Tiger. Corbett National Park was one of the nine tiger reserves created at the launch of the Project Tiger in 1973. The original area of the Corbett National Park was 323.75 sq. km. to which 197.07 sq. km. was added later. In 1991, an area of 797.72 sq km was added as buffer area of the Corbett Tiger Reserve. It area includes kalagarh forest division and Ramnagar forest division.

The Main wildlife animals found in the Corbett National Park include the tiger, elephant, chital, sambar, nilgai, gharial, King Cobra, muntjac, wild boar, hedgehog, common musk shrew, flying fox, Indian Pangolin, and nearly 600 species of birds. Corbett National Park receives thousands of visitors every year. A variety of facilities are available to house tourists within and outside the park

Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park, the first wildlife reserve of India, extending over an area of more than 500 sq km in the Himalayan foothills. Corbett national park was established in 1936, as the Hailey National Park. In 1955-56 it has changed to Ramganga National Park and finally Jim Corbett National Park in the honor of legendary hunter-turned- conservationist, best known for hunting man-eating tigers and leopards in the Kumaon and lower Garhwal in the 1920s.