CORBETT
NATIONAL PARK
Corbett National Park has captured the imagination of many with its diverse
wildlife and breathtaking landscapes. The natural uniqueness of the area was
recognised long ago and so in 1936 Corbett attained the distinction as the first
national park to be established in mainland Asia.
Corbett National Park lies in two districts - Nainital and Pauri - in the
hill state of Uttaranchal in northern India. It covers an area of 521 sq.
km and together with the neighbouring Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve
Forest areas, forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve over 1288 sq. km.
Its geographical location between the Himalayas and the terai, and the streams,
rivers and ridges crisscrossing the terrain, present Corbett with a remarkable
variety of landscapes. This vivid mosaic of habitats - wet and dry, plain
and mountainous, gentle and rugged, forests and grasslands - supports numerous
plant and animal species, representing Himalayan as well as plains kinds.
The most famous of Corbett's wild residents are the Bengal Tiger and the Asiatic
Elephant, but with about 600 species of avifauna Corbett is one of the richest
bird regions of India.
Corbett isn't just about Nature. It is also a rich treasure of history and
cultural heritage. The park has a long tradition of conservation. The fact
that it is the oldest National Park of the Asia and India's first Tiger Reserve
itself symbolises that Corbett is a pioneer in efforts at preserving our natural
heritage.
The great naturalist-writer Jim Corbett needs little introduction. His writings
have fascinated generations of wildlife enthusiasts and he still commands
no less appeal nowadays. The areas in and around the present day Corbett National
Park were the stage for his exciting adventures in wilderness. Most of his
man-eater hunting expeditions also took place in the same areas.
Jim Corbett lived in Kaladhungi, where his house has been made into a Museum
dedicated to his life and times.
Besides being located at a bio geographic confluence, Corbett National Park
is situated at the junction of two distinct hill regions of Uttaranchal -
Garhwal and Kumaon. Hence, the Park represents a synthesis of cultures of
both these mountain areas.
Corbett National Park with a total area of 1288 square kilometers and is
not only the oldest sanctuary in Asia, but one of the biggest. It has been
allowed to go wild literally so it has a huge variety of rare animals. Animals
in a zoo are good to see but out in the open they can be seen in all their
grace and beauty. Most of the animals can be seen in the winters and the coveted
sighting of the tiger becomes relatively easier then.
Elephants can be seen in abundance. Deer is the most easily sighted animal
and there is a wide variety of them in the park. Conservationist can also
take heart in fact that although vultures arebeing wiped out all over the
country, they can still be seen in the park and are in apparent good health.
Even without the migratory birds, Corbett has a very rich variety of birds.
For those who love the adventures, the Corbett area offers many of opportunities.
There is rock climbing, trekking, angling and camping.
It is just six hours journey from Delhi and provides ample scope for game
spotting. The road is smooth and the latest improvement of highways coupled
with toll road culture has certainly added to the pleasure of driving. Roadside
Dhabas and small fast - food restaurants offer you best of Indian Cuisine
at a very nominal price. Flat six hours and you are in Ramnagar.
Corbett National Park is well known the world over as the "Land of the
Trumpet, roar and song" In Corbett National Park, apart from tigers;
some of the other cats which can be seen are leopards, jungle cats and leopard
cats.
The Park has spectacular bird diversity. More than 50 species of resident
and migratory birds have been recorded here. Peacock,Kaleej pheasant, black
partridge,pallas's fishing,eagle,white collared falconet, stork billed kingfisher,
wall creeper, brown fish owl, brown eared and black bulbul and several species
of woodpeckers and parakeets are some of the attractive birds found in the
Corbett National Park.
In 1966, an additional area was added tom Corbett National Park bringing
it to its present area of 520.82 sq.kms. Corbett Tiger Reserve is spread over
1318.54 sq.kms and includes, apart from Corbett National Park, additional
area of Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest buffer zone.
This sanctuary has 140 tigers and other cat family residents. One can see
Kingfishers, peacocks, deer, cheetal, sambhar, wild boar, and some monkeys
and langurs.
