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INTRODUCTION

The Corbett national park named after Jim Corbett was established in the year 1936 and is also referred as the Hailey National Park. The Corbett Park also takes the credit of India's first national park and the first sanctuary to come under Project Tiger. The Corbett national park on the foothills of the Himalayas spreads over an area of about 201 square mile and is extremely rich in its flora and fauna. With an excellent environment and habitat, the Corbett National park is ideal for wild population of Tigers, Leopards and Elephants.

HISTORY

The Jim Corbett National Park was earlier the hunting ground of the British during which the legendary hunter-naturalist turned author and photographer namely Jim Corbett who dedicated most of his life in the development of this park. In the year 1973 the Jim Corbett National Park with the help of World Wildlife Fund got Project Tiger.

ORIENTATION

Jim Corbett National Park in the foothills of Himalayas lies in the Nainital, Pauri Garwhal and Bijnore Districts of Uttaranchal.Corbett National Park is located in Ramganga valley in Uttaranchal.It is at a distance of about 263 kilometers from Delhi.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The ideal time to visit this park is anywhere between November to June. The Corbett remains closed from June 15 to November 15.

PLACES OF INTERESTS

Flora

It is one of the verdant national park of India. The flora of this area includes the evergreen Sal (Shorea robusta) and its associate tress, the Sheesam (Dalbergia sissoo), the Kanju (Holoptelea integrifolia)-found extensively on the ridges-, the ber (Zizyphus mauritians), dhak (Butea monosperma), and bael (Aegle marmelos). Other important trees in the Corbett National Park are the occasional simal (Bombax cieba), jhingan (Lannea coromandelica) and khair (Acacia catechu) that blossom in the spring season, just before the starting of summer season.Also found in various parts of the park are many different varieties of bamboo.The upper reaches near Kanda have Banj Oak growing, which is essentially a Himalayan species.Palms include Date palm that grows in open areas. Kanju (Holoptelia integrifolia), Jamun (Syzygium cumini) and Aamla (Emblica officinalis) are found scattered moist areas.

Fauna

The Corbett National park is the home of Tigers along with its prey namely four kinds of Deer, Wild Boar and some lesser-known animals. The other inhabitants of this area includes Leopards, nocturnal cats, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, Sloth Bear, Himalayan Black Bear, Dole or Wild Dog. Apart from the Bengal Tigers and Elaphants, the wildlife in the Corbett National Park includes Himalayan Palm Civet, Indian Gray Mongoose, Common Otter, Blacknaped Hare and Porcupine. The Langur and Rhesus Monkeys are also quite common in the Corbett national park. The Ramnagar shores here are also famous for fish-eating Gharial Crocodile and the 'Mugger' Crocodile.

Reptiles

Apart from the fish-eating Gharial Crocodile and the 'Mugger'

Crocodile the Corbett park is also noted for some common reptiles like Monitor Lizards,

Turtles, Cobras, Pythons, Sal forest Tortoise, Russell's viper and kraits.

Avian Species

According to a survey done by the zoological department of the country the Jim Corbett park is home to at least some 600 species of birds which includes Herons, Darters, Cormorants, Lapwings, Paradise Flycatchers, Munias, Weaver birds, Eagles,

Black throated Payas, Mynas, Kingfishers, migrant Gulls, Kalij Pheasants, Grebes, Grey Lags, Snipes, Harriers, Ospreys, Minivets, Babblers, Hornbills, falcons and Stone Curlews.

Things to do

Tiger Spotting

Tiger Spotting is the most thrilling part of the Corbett National Park. It is said that there are at least 140 tigers in the sanctuary and if you are lucky you will be able to spot one. The rate of success is more during the months of April to mid June. There jeeps and guides to take you around the park. Most of the visitors coming here come with the purpose of seeing tigers in Corbett National Park.

Elephant Rides

The Wildlife Safari especially on the elephant back is the most thrilling part of the tour into the Corbett National Park. The experience of sitting high a top an elephant in a teak wood chair is quite cool and is one of the most famous ways to track the tigers.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted in Corbett in Ramganga, Kosi, Mandal and Kothari rivers. But you need to take permission before you go fishing. Rods are available on hire. Resorts also arrange fishing and angling trips here. So you can catch fish, and have your own lunch here.

Kids Corner In Corbett

There are special 'Earth camps' in Corbett to keep the kids hooked. Started in 2004, the camp aims to bring children closer to particular 'Biomes' to give them first hand experience of nature. The 'Biomes' are specially tailored to match with the requirements of biology curriculums of school going children.

Jeep Safari

Jeep safaris are undertaken during the early morning hours till evening. A forest department guide is always their with the visitors on these jeep trips taken inside the park. There is a fixed entry and exit time into the forest.

Shopping There is nothing much to shop in the Jim Corbett Park. EAT OUTS 1.River View Restaurant & Resort Uttarakhand 09990022396 2.Maharaja Kotdwara, Uttaranchal 3.Bengal Hotel Mall Rd, Mallital, Nainital, Uttaranchal 263001 05942 235503‎ – 09411321000 4.Dolma SH 37, Uttaranchal 5.Tadka Restaurant‎ National Highway 74, Dhampur 6.Gulmohar Restaurant National Highway 74, Dhampur ACCOMMODATION 1.Quality Inn The Den Kumeria Reserve ForestMohan, Almora, Corbett Park, IN, 244 715 (91) 5947 287 850 2.Hotel Alka Nainital The Mall, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263002 05942 235220 3.Pavilion Nainital Near High Court, Mallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263142 0135 2631894 4.Chevron Fairhavens Nainital Adjacent to Head Post Office, Mallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263001 05942 236057 5.Hotel Arif Castles Mallital, Nainital, Uttaranchal 263001 05942 235801 6.Hotel New Bharat,Zoo road,                                                 The Mall,Tallital,Nainital, Uttrakhand -263002 05942-235664,09927843928

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HOW TO REACH

By Air

Khajurao at 230 km is the most convenient airport connected to the park by various domestic airline services with Agra, Delhi, Varanasi.

By Trains

The nearest railhead Umaria at 30 km is on the Katni-Bilaspur section of South-Eastern Railway. Another convenient railhead Satna (117 km) is on the Bombay-Howrah main line of the Central Railway.

By Road

Bandhavgarh National Park is situated on the Satna-Umaria & Rewa-Umaria highway. Madhya Pradesh State Transport Bus Services are also available from Rewa, Satna, Katni and Umaria.