About Corbett National Park

Nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas, the Corbett National Park extends over an area of 520.82sq.km. Varied topography and vegetation gives Corbett a rich diversity in habitats and natural beauty. Flat valleys are interspersed with hilly ridges and the Park's rolling grasslands known as the Chaurs provide visitors with an excellent view of its inhabitants.

The magnificent Ramganga River flows through the entire length of the Park and little forest streams tumble through the ravines. While dense stands of sal cloak the higher ridges, mixed deciduous forests are found throughout the Park and over 110 varieties of trees, 51 species of shrubs and over 33 kinds of bamboo's and grasses are seen here. Corbett has the highest density of tiger in the country - approximately one every 5 sq. km. and it was here that the prestigious "Project Tiger" was launched in 1973. Four species of deer - hog deer,sambar, chital and barking deer and other prey like the wild boar, support the predator. Besides the tiger, Corbett is a haven for 50 mammals, 580 kinds of birds and 25 reptile species. The Park has elephants, the Himalayan black bear in the higher elevations, sloth bear, varieties of lesser cats, dhole the wild dog and an entire spectrum of colourful birds including water birds, pheasants, jungle fowl and the Indian hornbill. . Basking along the banks of the Ramganga are the slender snouted gharial and the mugger or marsh crocodile. The river is rich in the magnificent mahaseer - a fine sporting fish prized by anglers, though angling is not permitted inside the National Park. Excellent facilities for staying and viewing wildlife make Corbett one of the finest reserves in India.

Fact File

Climate : Nov.- May (closed mid June to mid Nov.)

Accommodation : Forest Rest Houses, Log Huts, etc. at Dhikala; Forest Rest Houses at Sarapduli, Bijrani, Ghairal. Excellent resorts also along the periphery of the Park.

Nearest town : Ramnagar (51 km)

How to get there : Rail-Ramnagar (51 km), Air- Pantnagar (110 km)

The Corbett Park A conservationist's heritage

The Corbett Park A conservationist's heritage It is as though time has stood still in the last hundred years. The tiger yawns and stretches near the river after a hearty meal. Herds of beautiful spotted deer graze close by, knowing they are safe for several hours. The otters tease the tiger from afar. The crocodile ignores the otters, since he fancies only fish. The swift, mighty mahaseer however, at 50lbs, is more than a match for the crocodile. In the tall grass, one of the last few hog deers on earth eats the tender shoots of grass, disturbing the golden oriole who has just laid 3 perfect eggs in her nest by the river bank.

Corbett is a serious park, where the rules of conservation are to be strictly followed by visitor, park employee and the Kumaoni villagers who live just outside the park. And this is made easy because it is a park beloved of all who visit.

The Park is named after Jim Corbett, who lived in the region, knew the language of the jungle, and who metamorphosised from hunter to ardent conservationist.

The topography of the park is varied and interesting with ravines, plateaus, marshy depressions and grasslands. The sparkling River Ramganga is the life source of the park. The vegetation is dense mixed deciduous with a wide variety of trees including the stately sal, and creepers, shrubs, bamboos and grasses.

It is a beautiful pristine park, the air full of tangy fragrances - and expectation. You enter it with humility. Knowing that you are in someone else's home.

Corbett is a wonderful lesson in biodiversity. You see the world as it ought to have been.

Morning mists over the river azure skies with lazy clouds birdsong dappled sunlight sharp scents a rustle in the grass.

History :

	Till 1820 - private property of local rulers before being taken over by the British Raj
	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 at the age of eight and gets addicted to hunting
	1900 - 1910 - Jim Corbett leads shikar parties and kills two maneaters
	1910 - Jim Corbett gives up killing as mere sport and becomes the saviour of the villagers, delivering them from maneaters.
	1934 - The Park is declared a National Park and Corbett helps define the boundaries.
	1957 - After the death of Jim Corbett, the Park is renamed in honour of his memory.
	1973 - The Park becomes the first Tiger Reserve of India under Project Tiger.