Total
Coverage Area:
52,082 hectares.
Established in:1936 as a National Park
Originally Names As: Hailey National Park
Renamed As: Corbett National Park In 1957
Declared As: A Tiger Reserve In 1973
Description
:
The Corbett National Park, where Project Tiger was
launched in 1973, is regarded as India's finest national park
and its major attractions are the Tiger, Indian Elephant
and Leopard.Corbett national park is drained by the Ramganga
river, the dam at Kalagarh forming a huge lake to the west of
the national park. The park is essentially a large low valley.
A
range of hills runs through the middle of the national park, roughly
east to west. The forests are moist deciduous, with Sal as the
dominant tree.Chir Pine trees are to be found on the higher ridges
of the hills. On the low-lying areas riverine forests, with Shisham
and Khair trees, are intermixed with grasslands known locally
as 'Chaurs'.
Project
Tiger(Corbett National Park) :
The overage area of the park was 520-sq-kms in 1986, and a proposed
extension of 588-sq-kms
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 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,
noticeably specially 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 national
park.
Corbett
was the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa and at
present is a famous natural hub for White Tigers. White Tigers,
in human and cattle population in the beginning of the 20th century
led to the disturbance of this balance, and the first man-eaters
started appearing. Soon the numbers of these man-eaters increased
and Kumaon became famous.
The
hunter Jim Corbett became famous with his leopard shooting
exploits in this region. In his book "Temple Tiger",
he describes how he killed the Champawat Tiger and the Panar Leopard,
which had hunted 836 human beings in the first decade of this
century. However from 1930s onwards, the number of tigers fell
sharply with the increase in the number of hunters who belonged
to the Indian royals as well British sportsmen.
The
situation deteriorated rapidly and in 1971, the Indian government
banned the killing of tigers. Project Tiger was started
and the Jim Corbett National Park was formed - the name
honoring the famous hunter of the past.
The
Wild Attractions(Corbett National Park) :
The Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Dhole, Jackal, Yellow Throated
Martem, Himalayan Palm Civet, Indian Grey Mongoose, Common Otter,
Porcupine, Clack-taped Hare are the other attractions of this
area. It is possible to see elephants all over the park too. There
are four species of deer residing over here. These are the Chital,
the well-known Spotted Deer, Para, Kakka, 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, Bar-headed Goose, Duck, Grepe,
Snipe, Sandpiper, Gull and wagtail. The residents include Darters,
Cormorants, Egrets, Herons, the black-necked Stork and the spur
winged 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.
Climate(Corbett
National Park)
As with the rest of the country, there are three well-defined
seasons at the Corbett National Park. winter from November
to February, summer from March to June and the rainy season the
rest of the year. Corbett is closed for public from June 15 to
November 15.
Tarvel
info(Corbett National Park)
By Air : Phoolbagh, Pantnagar at a distance of 50 km is
the nearest airport. Delhi at a distance of 300 km is the nearest
international airport.
By
Rail: Ramnagar is on the broad gauge track from where the
road transport options have to be availed to reach the park.
By
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.