Location
The Jim Corbett National park is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas
in Uttaranchal.
Area
600 sq km (core area of 322 km)
Best time to visit
November 15 to June 15. The park remains closed between June 16 and
November 14, when the monsoons flood the river beds and block the roads.
About the park
Lying in the foothills of the Himalayas, the Jim Corbett National Park
covers an area of more than 520 sq km. After the inclusion of the Sonanadi
wildlife sanctuary to the west, the park has grown from 520sq km to 1318 sq
km. Wide variety of topography and vegetation bestows the park with a rich
diversity in habitats and natural beauty. Flat valleys are followed by hilly
ridges and the Park's rolling grasslands termed as Chaurs provide an
excellent view of its wildlife. The Ramganga river meanders through the park
where the thick cover of sal covers the higher ridges, mixed deciduous
forests are found, over 110 varieties of trees are present, 51 species of
shrubs and over 33 kinds of bamboos and grasses are also to be seen here.
It must be noted that the park has been named after the famous British
hunter, Jim Corbett who was instrumental in setting up the reserve and also
wrote the famous book, The Man-Eaters of Kumaon was greatly revered by the
local people for hunting down tigers which became man eaters.
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Here for a tour to Jim Corbett National Park
Wildlife attractions
Flora : The various varieties of plants found in the park are sal
and mixed woodland that covers the outer Himalayas. At lower levels one can
find are winding strips of alluvial grasslands or chaurs (eaten by many
species of deer) crossed by numerous water courses. Ramganga river is the
lifeline of the Park which offers safe harbour to mahaseer fish, crocodile
and otter. Sal and diverse mixed forest cover hills and valleys where fodder
and foliage for largely for of elephants.
Corbett national park houses various species of animals and birds.
Fauna : There are around 50 tigers in Corbett and other important
animals found here are leopards, cats, the wild dog, porcupines, jackals,
civets, sloth bear, black bear, wild boar and a few hundred elephants. One
can always come across other animals like antelope, chital, hog deer and
sambar grazing through the grasslands. The Rhesus monkey and common langur
are pervasive and the long-snouted gharial, marsh crocodile, cobras and
pythons can also be seen on the mud banks of the Ramganga.
Birds : The Ramganga reservoir located in the main Dhikala camp
region of the park, contains over 600 species of birds, which includes the
pied kingfisher, crested serpent eagle, fishing eagle and Himalayan grey
headed fishing eagle. The other important birds in the park are parakeets,
owls, orioles, drongos, thrushes, babblers, bulbuls, cuckoos, doves, bee
eaters, rollers, flycatchers, warblers, robins, chats, finches, forktails,
hornbills, kingfishers and many many more. One must note that many of these
birds are migratory in nature and the park forms a natural crossroad and
meeting ground for avian species from high altitude areas, plains and
eastern and western regions.
Park Trips
Jeeps Safari : This is the most desirable way to travel within the park and
can be rented for the park trips from Ramnagar, from the KMVN Tourist Lodge
and other travel agencies . Everyday a bus goes to Dikhala from Ramnagar
halting at the Forest Rest houses on the way.
It is advisable that while going on the safaris one must carry the
binoculars, remain quiet, and avoid bright colours or strong perfumes.
Elephant ride is also an ideal way to explore the park area.
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Here for a tour to Jim Corbett National Park
Getting 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 the railway station from where the road transport
has to be reach the park. For faster trains and connections to other parts
one can change at Moradabad.
Road : Dhikala is 300-kms from Delhi, 145-kms from Lucknow and
51-kms from Ramnagar. The route from Delhi covers Hapur-Murababad-Ramnagar.
The turn off is some 7-kms beyond Muradabad to the left, marked by a small
board. The route from Lucknow covers Bareilly–Kichha–Rudrapur–Doraha–Kashipur
and Ramnagar is served by good bus service to and from Nainital and
Ranikhet, 112-kms north.
Accommodation
People can stay at Dhikala which has 103 beds or can opt for various forest
rest houses elsewhere in the national park which offer only 48 beds. The
other options available are caravans, tents or resorts which are located
along the main Ramnagar-Ranikhet road bordering the eastern edge of the
park.
Click
Here for a tour to Jim Corbett National Park
