About 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 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.

Best time to visit Jim Corbett

Seasons: There are three well defined seasons

Winter: November to February

Summer: March to June

Monsoon: July to October

However Corbett National Park remains open throughout the year for the visitors from Jhrina zone but the best time to visit Corbett is from 15th November to 15th June because during this period of time all the tourism zones of Corbett are open for visitors and one can visit the entire national park area.

Rivers in Corbett

Ramganga is the most important river in Corbett Country as it forms the most predominant hydrological resource. A typical rain water river and originating from Gairsain, the Ramganaga runs for more than 100 kms before entering the reserve near Marchula. Inside Corbett National Park, it flows till Kalagarh and then hitting the plains gathering water from rivers like Sonanadi. Ramganga is home to the famous game fish of India, Mahaseer along with other aquatic species like the endangered Gharials, crocodiles and turtles. The river also attracts a lot of migratory birds from Europe and Asia.

The Kosi still remains the most famous river in Corbett due to its presence in Dhikuli where most of the resorts exist. Kosi does not flow through the park but is still used by animals for drinking water. Kosi is known for its erratic flow and the river is highly unpredictable during the monsoons. The river is home to Mahaseer.

Sonanadi is the most important tributary of River Ramganga is responsible for watering the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and enters Corbett National Park from the North. The simple hindi translation of Sonanadi means "river of gold" and it is believed that at one time grains of gold were extracted from its bed through different treatments.

Wildlife in Corbett

The nature of the habitat dictates the quantity, diversity and visibility of wildlife. Corbett is the oldest National Park opened in India and has a high tiger density but sightings aren't easy because of dense undergrowth.

The broadleafed forested hills and the riverine habitat offer a rich mix of wildlife. Apart from seeing big runs of Golden Mahseer and the giant catfish Goonch, the river is also frequented by the Common Indian Otter. Pythons have been seen around deep pools with dense vegetation around. Wild elephants, usually loners, occasionally visit this area. Sambhar and barking deer are commonly sighted and as it gets dark their echoing alarm calls indicate the presence of carnivores in the valley.

Nature trails along the river reveal pugmarks of leopards, tiger and spoor of the fishing cat. Ghoral, a shy species of goat antelope, is commonly sighted on the massive cliff faces and rocky gorges that edge the Ramganga. Another rare and extremely shy goat antelope, the Serow, has been sighted here and photographed for the first time in November 2004, perhaps the first photo evidence in this region.

Climate at Corbett Park India

The weather is extreme in corbett Park. The Summer months are April-Mid July. Monsoon moths are Mid-July-late September, while winter months are October till late march.

How to Reach Corbett Park India

Jim Corbett park is well connected by road and train services from the major cities. One can reach here by train from  delhi and at the same time there is regular bus services from jaipur, agra, dehradun, rishikesh, haridwar apart from -delhi, gurgaon, Noida, faridabad and other major cities.

History of Corbett Park India

Till 1820	Private property of local rulers.
1820	Ownership passed into British hands.
1820- 1850	Forests mercilessly felled for timber by British rulers.
1858	Plan drawn up for protecting the forests.
1879	Declared as reserved forests.
1884	Jim Corbett shoots his first leopard.
1900-1910	Jim Corbett leads shikar parties and kills two man-eaters.
1910	Jim Corbett gives up killing as mere sport and becomes the savior of the villagers, defending them from man-eaters.
1934	The Park is declared a National Park and Corbett helps define the boundaries.
1935-1936	It was set up as the first National Park under United Provinces National Parks Act. It was named the Hailey National Park, after Sir Malcolm Hailey, the Governor of United Provinces.
1954	With independence it was renamed as the Ramganga National Park.
1955	Jim Corbett died at Nyeri.
1957	The park is renamed in honour of his memory
1973	The Park becomes the first Tiger Reserve of India under Project Tiger.
1974	Inauguration of Tiger Project.
1986	Corbett National park celebrates its Golden Jubilee.
1996	Diamond Jubilee of its existence as Corbett national park.
1998	year of Project Tiger.
9 Nov. 2000	Became part of Uttaranchal and now Uttarakhand state.

Corbett Park- Information on Corbett National Park

Information for Corbett Park: Corbett 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 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 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 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.

Need to expand Corbett ‘buffer zone' in focus

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The latest death of a tiger in a territorial fight has once again brought focus on the need for expanding the area under the purview of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests had recommended that parts of the Ramnagar and Lansdowne forest divisions should be included in the buffer zone of Corbett, but the State Government is adamant that this will be facilitated only after the Union Government facilitates construction of the Kandi road which passes through the Corbett and Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary and links Garhwal with Kumaon.

The Corbett National Park covers about 521 sq km and together with Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary and reserve forest areas, forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve spread across 1288.31 sq km. As per the latest census, there are at least 214 tigers in this landscape and with officials counting at least 40 cubs last year, the population is expected to rise further if conditions remain conducive.

At least two tigers have died in turf war since 2011 which has brought back the focus on the need for increasing the protected area. According to Corbett field director Ranjan Mishra expanding the buffer zone of Corbett will bring these areas under the purview of funds received from the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

“There will be territorial fights between tigers, but increasing the buffer zone area will provide them more protected space to roam and to hunt in which will decrease the likelihood of turf wars among the stripped felines. This will also help in improving the protection of wildlife and environment in areas added to the buffer zone which will benefit not only the tiger, but all wildlife. Apart from this, the betterment of wildlife will directly benefit the people living in the region with increased tourism,” said Mishra.

The State Forest and Environment Advisory Committee vice chairman Anil Baluni said that the State, too, is willing to expand the area of Corbett tiger reserve, but only if the Union Government also takes cognisance of the needs of the people of Uttarakhand. He alleged that the Union Government has claimed much and done little.

“Last year, the then minister of Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, had announced that `65 crore was allocated for relocation of people living in Sunderkhal village in Corbett, but so far the State has not received a single rupee. We requested the NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal several times to inspect the area to be affected by construction of the Kandi road, but he has not done so.

Tigers and wildlife has been conserved and their status is improving in Uttarakhand due to the efforts of the State authorities and people and not due to the policies made by officials in Delhi, so it is vital to ensure that the interests of people are also considered,” said Baluni.