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Corbett National Park & Sanctuary
Corbett National Park &
Sanctuary Jim Corbett National Park is 115-km from Nainital, via Kaladhungi.
The pride of Corbett National Park is the distinction of being the first national
park of India. It sprawls over an area of 1,200-sq-kms and was established in
the year 1935 as the Hailey National Park, after Sir William Malcohm Hailey, an
enthusiastic conservationist who was at that time governor of united provinces.
In 1957, the park was re-christened as the Corbett National Park in
the memory of late Jim Corbett, legendary sportsman, great naturalist, eminent
conservationist and a profilic writer, who spent some of the best and happiest
years of his life in Kaladhungi and Nainital.
Flora
In Corbett National Park
Aptly called the land of roar, trumpet, and songs,
Corbett Park is a legend come alive. The park embraces the picturesque patladiun,
a broad flat valley consisting of the vast savannas and surrounded by hills. Most
of the core area of 330-sq km at its heart remains out of bounds, and many visitors
are disappointed to find that safaris on foot are strictly forbidden; they are
only permissible in the fringe forests.
Fauna
In Corbett National Park
Corbett is most famous for its large cats, and
in particular the Tiger - this was the first designated Project Tiger Reserve,
in 1973 - but its Tigers are extremely elusive. Sightings are very far from guaranteed,
and should be regarded as an unlikely bonus.
Corbet holds a great asortment
of other animals. Large Elephant herds have been confined within its boundaries
since the construction of the Ramganga Reservoir blocked migratory routes that
formerly ranged as far as Rajaji National Park, 200-km west. The best place to
see them is around the picturesque Dhikala Camp near the reservoir, especially
in spring, when the water level drops and the animals have more space to roam.
The reservoir shelters populations of Gharial, a long snouted fish-eating
Crocodile, and Maggar, a large marsh crocodile, and other reptiles. Jackal are
common, and Wild Boar run through the camps in the evenings. The grasslands around
Dhikala are home to deer species such as the spotted Deer known as Chital, Hog
Deer and the larger Sambar. Rhesus and common Langur are both abundant, representing
the two main classes of Indian Monkeys.
Bird life ranges from water
birds such as the pied Kingfisher to birds of prey, including the crested serpent
Eagle, Pallas’s fishing eagle and Himalayan greyheaded fishing Eagle.
Other Attractions In Jim Corbett National Park
Angling At Ramnagar
Situated in the rich farm belt of Terai, on the
southeastern fringes of the great forests, the busy market town of Ramnagar is
the main administrative centre for Corbet National Park and Project Tiger. Ramnagar
makes a fishing base camp. At Lohachaur, 15-kms north along the River Kosi, good
anglers are in with a chance of landing the legendary Mahseer, a redoubtable battling
River Carp. Permits to have a go must be sought from the Project Tiger office
in Ramnagar; most resorts also arrange all inclusive fishing trips.
Jeep
Safari At Jim Corbett National Park
Jeeps Safari, is the most convenient
way to travel within Corbett, and can be rented for the park trips from Ramnagar,
from the KMVN Tourist Lodge and other travel agencies . One bus each day goes
to Dikhala from Ramnagar, stopping at the Forest Rest houses en route.
Chital, Sambar, and various other Deer species find refuge in the Savannah grasslands
known as the Maidan, behind the campsite to the south, and Tigers are occasionally
drawn in looking for prey. Two hour Elephant rides, explore this sea of grass,
rarely penetrating far into the deep jungles beyond. Come early morning or evening;
in the heat of the day you probably won’t come across much more than deer among
the tall grass. Tiger-sightings are few and far between, but you may be rewarded
with fresh pug marks.
How To Get 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 on the broad gauge track from where the
road transport options have to be availed to reach the park. For faster trains
and connections to other parts change at Moradabad.
Road
Dhikala
is 300-kms from Delhi, 145-kms from Lucknow and 51-kms from Ramnagar. The route
from Delhi spans Hapur-Murababad-Ramnagar. The turn off is some 7-kms beyond Muradabad
to the left, marked by a small board. The route from Lucknow spans Bareilly-Kichha-Rudrapur-Doraha-Kashipur.
Ramnagar is served by frequent buses to and from Nainital and Ranikhet, 112-kms
north. Buses arrive every half hour or so after the eight hour trip from Delhi;
Delhi Transport corporation run a semi deluxe service, and most of the alternatives
are pretty basic.
General Info on Jim Corbett National
Park
Entry Inside The Corbett National Park
All visitors
to Corbett National Park have to obtain permits from the park administration centre
at Ramnagar. The closest of the various gates into the Corbett, 1-km from central
Ramnagar, is on the road to Bijrani camp, 11-km away, a base for day trips. Dhangarhi
Gate, 18-kms along the highway north to Ranikhet, provides access to the northern
and north western portion of the park along the Ramnagar River valley, and to
the main camp of Dhikala.
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