Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand

Corbett National Park is named after Jim Corbett, great Hunter turned Conservationist. Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India and was established in 1936. Name of the park during its establishment was Hailey National Park. The park is located in Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Corbett national park is the protected area for the critically endangered Bengal Tiger. Park is famous for its wild population of leopards, elephants and tigers. Corbett national park is one of the first national parks of India to be included in the Project Tiger program. Project Tiger program was the initiative of Indian government to save and increase the tiger population in India. Park is located on the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range in Uttarakhand and is one of the most visited wildlife park of India.

Corbett national park is spread in 591 sq km of area. Altitude of the park ranges from 360 m to 1040 m. Numerous streams, ravines, ridges and small plateaus are present in the park making it beautiful and scenic region. Corbett national park exhibits a variety of vegetation making it an ideal habitat for the tigers and its prey.

Vegetation of Corbett national park is mainly of Sal trees in the lower regions. One can see large variety of plants and trees on the upper regions and higher altitudes. Different types of bamboos can be found in various parts of the park. Total of 488 species of plants have been recorded in the park area.

Park remains closed during the monsoon months, June to August. During the summer seasons temperature inside the park rarely touches 40 C. Winter months, October to March are ideal to visit the park and explore the wildlife in the region. Temperature during the day time in winters is generally 15 – 20 C. During nights temperature may drop to as low as 4 C.

Wildlife Attractions in Jim Corbett National Park

Diverse topography of Corbett National Park harbors large variety of wild species in the region. There are about 50 species of mammals, 580 bird species and 25 species of reptiles. Park is famous for its tiger population and these are the main attraction of the park. Other species which can be seen in Corbett National Park are Elephants, Leopards, Panthers, Jungle cats, Royal Bengal Tigers, Fishing Cats, Leopard cats, Himalayan black bears, Sloth bears, Jackals, Martens, Dholes, Civets, Mongooses, Otters, Hares, Porcupines, Chital (spotted deer), Sambar deer, Hog deer, Barking deer, Ghorals, Wild Boars, Pangolins, Macaques, Langurs and Nilgai. Corbett national park is haven for bird lovers and ornithologists. Some of the bird species which can spotted in the region are Herons, Darters, Cormorants, Lapwings, Paradise Flycatchers, Munias, Weaver birds, Fishing eagles, Serpent eagles, Spotted Eagles, Black throated Payas, Mynas, Indian Roller, Jungle Fowl, Vultures, Thrushes, Barbets, Peacocks, peahens, Kingfishers, migrant Gulls, Moorhens, Ducks, Geese, Sandpipers, Nightjars, Cuckoos, Woodpeckers, Wagtails, Black winged Kits, Drongos, Doves, Plovers, Black necked Storks, Parakeets, Sarus Crane, Owls, Chir Pheasants, Kalij Pheasants, Grebes, Grey Lags, Snipes, Harriers, Ospreys, Minivets, Babblers, Hornbills, falcons and Stone Curlews.

How To Reach Jim Corbett National Park

By Air: Nearest airport is at Pantnagar which is about 50 km from the park.

By Rail: Ramnagar and Moradabad are nearest railheads from the park, from where one can take private taxis or coaches to reach the park.

By Road: Park is well connected by road from all cities and towns of Uttarakhand. Delhi is 300 km from Corbett National Park and one can easily take private taxi, luxury coaches, bus etc to reach the park.