About Corbett National Park
Situated
in the picturesque Kumaon hills in Nainital district, Corbett National Park
was the venue of the maiden launch of Project Tiger (1973). The park has a
core area of 520 sq. kms with picturesque hilly ridges covered by sal trees.
Lower down are the grasslands and bamboo growth. A list of species reported
from Corbett put the population at 582 species of birds, 26 species of
reptiles, 7 species of amphibians and 50 species of mammals. The floral
diversity is equally varied. The Park is named after the famous hunter and
naturalist, Jim Corbett, who popularized this land and its animals in his
book "The Man-Eaters of Kumaon". Corbett recounts many fascinating
tales of hunting down man-eating tigers. Always a nature lover, he helped
set up a sanctuary called Hailey Park in 1936. Eventually, an all India
initiative for the protection of the Tiger was launched from here. The park
has a high density of tiger population.
Wildlife Attractions in Corbett National Park
The Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary is an excellent and largely inviolate
specimen of the rich sal and mixed woodland that spans the outer Himalayas.
Because of its rich bio-geographic diversity, the Park is a natural haven
for the flora and fauna of the plains, the sub mountainous regions and high
altitude areas.
At the lower level are winding strips of alluvial grasslands or chaurs
(beloved to many species of deer) crossed by numerous water courses. The
lifeline of the Park is the sparkling Ramganga river which provides safe
harbor to mahaseer fish, crocodile and otter. Stately stands of sal and
diverse mixed forest cover hills and valleys, fodder and foliage for large
herds of elephants. Sharp spurs in the terrain make it an idyllic habitat
for shy species like the tiger. Some of the unique attractions of the park
include
Tiger
Corbett is one of the most congested parks in India with a ratio of 1 tiger
to every 5 acres. Gullies, ravines and thick forest cover give tigers the
right kind of habitat and herdes of deer, particularly the sambar, plenty of
food. The tiger is reclusive, but can be somewhat predictable in its beat.
You are more likely to spot a tiger close near a water body than to meet him
or her accidentally on the forest path!
Asiatic
Elephant
What warns you is the sharp tang of freshly crushed vegetation and the
sound of leaves being torn. Spotting elephants in the wild is a raw,
exhilarating experience. The Corbett Park is the best place in Northern
India to observe them at fairly close quarters. About 300 - 350 Asiatic
elephants roam around the park in herds, along the river Ramganga or
foraging in the grasslands. The forests provide the elephants enough food.
The elephant's daily diet is perked up with wild berries and fruits which
are available in plenty.
The forests provide the elephants enough food. The elephant's daily diet is
perked up with wild berries and fruits which are available aplenty.
Bird
Population
The park, with its rich biogeographic diversity, is home to more than 600
species of birds - about half of the total species found in the entire
Indian subcontinent! You can see parakeets, owls, orioles, drongos,
thrushes, babblers, bulbuls, cuckoos, doves, bee eaters, rollers,
flycatchers, warblers, robins, chats, finches, forktails, hornbills,
kingfishers and many many more. It is also possibly one of the best places
in the world for observing birds of prey. Many of these birds are migratory:
The park forms a natural crossroad and meeting ground for avian species from
high altitude areas, plains and eastern and western regions.
Corbett - A home for vanishing species
The protective environment of Corbett Park has kept some endangered species
safe and thriving, like the hog deer which has been virtually saved from
extinction. At last count, the numbers had increased substantially.
Corbett is also the only home of the rare Indian pangolin. Consider
yourself supremely blessed if you spot one! The rare fish eating, long
snouted gharial is a common sight on the banks of the river Ramganga.
Several species on the world hit list have been seen to be breeding happily
in the park, at ease in Corbett's rich, life supporting bio diversity.
Safari
Take an early dawn elephant back safari with an authorized mahout guide.
Jeep rides can be arranged at the Tourist Centre. Conducted bus tours of 4-5
hours are available at Bijrani and Dhikala. All visitors are required to
obtain an entry permit, which is available from the park administration
centre at Ramnagar.
Other Attractions
Ramnagar
The busy little market town of Ramnagar, situated on the south-eastern
border of the park is the main administrative town and the base camp for
visitors traveling to the Corbett National Park. The town also makes a good
fishing base camp.
How to Get there
Air : The nearest airport to Corbett National Park is
Phoolbagh, Pantnagar which is at a distance of 80 km. The nearest
international airport is at Delhi.Delhi is conveniently connected to major
Indian and International cities through a number of daily flights. It is a
good option to travel to Corbett from Delhi by a private four wheeler or
train. Besides taking your own vehicle will also help you travel inside the
park.
Rail : The nearest railway station is at Ramnagar, which
can be accessed from Delhi through the Ranikhet Express (Dep. 10:50 PM, Arr.
4:35 AM). The journey from Delhi takes around 6-7 hrs. but be sure to get
into the right part of the train as it bifurcates at Moradabad.
Road : Dhikala is 300 km from Delhi, 145 km from Lucknow
and 51 km from Ramnagar. The route from Delhi spans
Hapur-Murababad-Ramnagar. The turn off is some 7 km beyond Muradabad to the
left, marked by a small board. The route from Lucknow spans
Bareilly-Kichha-Rudrapur-Doraha-Kashipur. To travel from Delhi, take the
NH24 to Moradabad via Hapur and Gajraula, follow the state highway to
Amdanda, Garija and Dhangarhi gates of the park via Kashipur and Ramnagar.
Distances from Major Cities
Delhi : 260 km (NE)
Lucknow : 145 km
Nainital : 105 km
Ranikhet : 112 km
Ramangar : 12 km (NE)
Travel Tips/Important Information
- The park has two main zones, the Bijrani range lies near Ramnagar and
is the smaller of the two. The other larger range is known as Dhikala
(entry through the Dhangari gate), where entry is permitted only to
those who have an overnight stay permit at one of the five forest rest
houses.
- Some of the main entry gates to the park are Dhangari gate (20 km
from Ramnagar), Amdanda gate (2 km), Khara gate (20 km), Durgadevi gate
(30 km), Vatanvasa gate (40 km from Kotdwar) and Teria gate.
- Park charges Entry Fee : Rs. 50 (Indians) & Rs. 400 (foreigners,
450 for overnight), Vehicle Entry : Rs. 750/day (heavy vehicles), Rs.
150/day (light) & Rs. 400/day (mini bus), Elephant Ride : Rs. 150
(Indians) & Rs. 250 (foreigners), Guide : Rs. 125/day/vehicle
(Dhikala) & Rs. 100 (4 hr trip, Bijrani), Camera : Still free, Rs.
100 (video).
- Fishing is allowed at Ramganga, Kosi, Mandal and Kothri rivers.
Fishing rods can be hired for Rs. 500/day.
- Reach half an hour before the entry gates open, to complete the
required formalities.
- Wear clothes in shades of brown and light green to blend with the
environs.
- Follow the rules of the park, avoid trespassing into restricted areas
and do not wear strong perfumes.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Carry woollens during
winters and light cotton clothes during the summer season.
- To maximise your chances of spotting wild animals, get prior
information about animal habits and be sure to take a guide along.
- Sunscreen lotion, sun hats, flash lights and mosquito repellent will
be of much help.
Visit Corbett, one of the best hideaways in the world. Experience nature's
splendor at its very best.
Click Here!
and fasten your belts to begin an incredible journey through the Indian
wilderness.
Jungle
Resorts in Corbett
| Claridges
Corbett Hideaway |
Corbett
Riverside Resort |
Quality
Inn Corbett Jungle Resort |
Claridges Corbett
Hideaway, at Garija, Ramnagar, boasts of luxurious accommodation
facilities topped with all the mod cons.
|
Corbett Riverside
Resort is situated in a picturesque setting, 10-km north of Ramnagar,
looking across the River Kosi to forest covered cliffs.
|
Quality Inn Corbett
Jungle Resort at Kumeria Reserve Forests has wood pannelled stone
cottages in a leafy mango orchard above the river Kosi, 29-km from
Ramnagar on the road north of Ranikhet, 9-km beyond the Dhangarhi gate.
|
"I
had heard a lot about Corbett and its fearless animals. Having been to
Africa and other wildlife hubs across the globe, I can vouch that India
can be an exciting option..and a cheaper one at that."
