The
Corbett National Park is located in the terai
region of the state of Uttar
Pradesh, straddling the undulating Shivalik
foothills of the Himalayas. Located around 300
kilometres away from New Delhi, it is India's
first ever national park.
The
park was established in 1936 as the Hailey National
Park, following the advice of the hunter-naturalist
Jim Corbett. The park covered 520 sq. kilometres
in 1986, and a proposed extension of 588 sq. kilometres
is under consideration. Project Tiger, which was
set up with the help of the World Wildlife Fund,
was launched at Dhikala, in the Corbett National
Park on April 1, 1973. This project was aimed
at saving the Indian tiger (Panthera tigris
tigris) from extinction.
Over
50 mammals, 580 birds and 25 reptile species have
been listed in the Corbett National Park. The
insect life is also astounding, noticeable especially
after the monsoons. But undoubtedly, the jewel
of the Corbett is the Indian tiger. It was estimated
that in 1984, the tiger population was 90 in this
park.
Leopards
as well as lesser cats such as the leopard cat,
jungle cat, fishing cat are also found here. The
sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, dhole,
jackal, yellow throated marten, Himalayan palm
civet, Indian grey mongoose, common otter, porcupine,
clacktaped hare are the other attractions of this
area. It is possible to see elephants all over
the park.
Four
species of deer are found here. These are the
chital, the well known spotted deer, para,
kakkar, and the barking deer. The goat
antelopes are represented by the ghoral.
There
is a lot for the bird watchers in this park. It
has over 580 species of birds. Most of the water
birds are migrant, and arrive in winters. Some
of these are the greylag, barheaded goose, duck,
grepe, snipe, sandpiper, gull and wagtail. The
residents include darters, cormorants, egrets,
herons, the blacknecked stork and the spurwinged
lapwings.
Reptiles,
which are residents of this area, are the gharial,
the rare fish eating, long - nosed crocodile,
and a few species of turtles and tortoises. The
Indian python, viper, cobra, krait and
king cobra also inhabit the Corbett National
Park.
The
National Park offers invaluable experiences for
adventurous and serious-minded wildlife - buffs,
photographers and anglers. It is advantageous
to have one's own vehicle here. Walking in some
areas is permitted, but only when accompanied
by a guide. Elephant rides for wildlife viewing,
in the mornings and evenings, can be booked in
the Dhikala complex.
| General
Information : |
| Best
time to Visit |
:
The best season to visit Corbett National
Park is between February and May. It is
closed from mid-June to mid-
November |
| Accommodation |
:
Forest rest houses are available at Khinnauli,
Sarapduli, Bijrani, and Ghairal. In
the Dhikala forest rest houses,
log- huts, tourist huts and tented camps
are
available. |
| Nearest
town |
:
Ramnagar, 51 kms. |
| How
to get there |
:
By air at Pantnagar, 110 kilometres away.
The nearest town and rail link is at
Ramnagar, 51 kilometres away. New
Delhi is a six hour drive. |
|
