Jim Corbett National
Park

uttarakhand

About Jim COrbett National Park

The foothills of the majestic Himalayas entertain a plethora of living creatures. Here, deemed as one of the most picturesque national parks to see a Tiger, Corbett National Park is beauty unparalleled. This moist decideuous montane forest includes species such as Sal, Chaur, Khair-Sissoo, Ber, Peepal, Dhak, Tendu which for a small fraction of close to 600 species. Spread over an area of 520 sq kms along the banks of the Ramganga, Kosi and Sonanadi River, this piece of scenic protected region in was initially established as Hailey National Park on August 8, 1936, in the honour of Sir Malcolm Hailey, the then governor of the United Provinces.

In the year 1957, it was subsequently named Corbett National Park in memory of the renownednaturalist Jim Corbett. The legendary hunter, conservationist turned author, was instrumental in demarcating boundaries and in setting up the park. Corbett is highly regarded enthralling avian and wildlife park of India. Out of the 1300 species and subspecies of listed as a part of the Indian subcontinent, over 500 species of birds have been recorded here over time.

Some of the iconic species one can see in Corbett National Park includes the Great Hornbill, Himalayan Rubythroat, Long Tailed Broadbill, Chestnut Headed Bee-eater, Blue Tailed Bee-eater, Pallas’ Fish Eagle, Lineated Barbet, Great Barbet, Kaleej Pheasant, Brown Dipper, apart from many others. Out of the 69 species of raptors/birds of prey found in India, 49 of them can be seen in Corbett. It’s safe to say that the reserve is true paradise for bird-watchers. Apart from its feathered denizens, the park is home to some magnificent beings including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephants, Leopards, Barking Deer, Rhesus Macaque, Spotted Deer, Sambar and Yellow Throated Martens.

It possesses a silent, calm and ethereal quality that makes it a perfect safari destination to unwind.

In India, every national park is divided into 3 different zones: Core, Buffer and Reserve. The Core zone is the protected area of the jungle where absolutely no human activity is permitted. It acts as a referral point on the natural state of the ecosystems represented by the biosphere reserves. Here, the natural resources are strictly protected by the forest department. Buffer zone is demarcated as an area where animals and a small percentage of human life co-exist together. Lastly, the reserve forest acts as a virtual boundary for the forest.

Corbett National Parkencompasses four core zones which include Dhikala, Jhirna, Bhijrani and the Durga Devi Zone. Dhikala is one of the most favored as one gets the exceptional opportunity of living in one of the oldest Forest Rest House of the country. This is one of the few parks in the country which allows one to do so. Waking up for a morning safari in the heart of a protected area is a once in a lifetime experience.

What makes this park a bit more interesting is the presence of some legendary tiger species that exist within the forests of Corbett National Park – Dheeto and Khali. While the named Dheeto has been derived from the stubbornness of the big cat, on the other hand, Khali has been named after the WWE heavyweight champion – The Great Khali whose features like height and weight were compared to this cat.

So, if you are up for a Tiger safari tour in Corbett National Park, make sure to ask your driver or the naturalist about these two legendary species that happen to fall in the dense forests ofCorbett National Park.

Tiger Tours in Jim Corbett National Park

Explore some of the best Tiger Safari Tours in Jim Corbett, guided by our expert team…

Kanha, Bandhavgarh & Corbett Tiger Safari Tour

13 Nights / 14 Days

Luxury Tiger Safari Holiday in Central India

14 Nights / 15 Days

Ranthambore, Kanha & Bandhavgarh Tiger Safari Tour

12 Nights / 13 Days

History

Hailey National Park, one of India’s first national parks, was renamed Corbett National Park in 1936. The park was privately owned by the princely state of Tehri Garhwal prior to its creation. In return for their assistance in driving out Gurkhas, the Raja of Tehri gave the East India Company a portion of the territory. It was also the home of the Boksas, a Terai tribe that cultivated cereals until they were driven out by the British in 1860.

Both the park and its surroundings have undergone numerous name changes. Its name was first changed from Hailey National Park to Ramganga National Park in 1954–1955, and then it underwent a second name change to Corbett National Park in 1955–1964. The park’s current name, Corbett National Park, was chosen in honour of renowned novelist and wildlife conservationist Jim Corbett, who was also instrumental in its founding.

When British commander Major Ramsay, who was in charge of the area, took over control of it at the beginning of the 19th century, the place gained notoriety. Particularly when the British Forest Department took possession of the area in 1868 to forbid agriculture and build livestock stations, the process of park preservation was under way. Upon realising its singularity, some Britons, including E. E. and R. Stevans It was suggested by A. Smythies to become a wildlife sanctuary. A game reserve was also suggested in 1907. However it was in 1930, Jim Corbett, a British-Indian hunter and tracker who later became a conservationist, oversaw the process of demarcating the park. The reserve was established later that year and given the name Hailey National Park. The park immediately after it was founded forbade the shooting of birds, reptiles, and mammals. The park was kept up properly until 1930. The park had a significant decline during the Second World War as a result of extensive poaching and timber cutting.