Total Area : 52,082 hectares


Asia's oldest National Park and India's First Tiger Reserve, Corbett National Park lies in two districts Nainital and Pauri in the hill state of Uttaranchal in northern India. It was established as a National Park in 1936 under the United Provinces National Parks Act of India. Then the reserve area, known as Hailey National Park, was renamed in 1954-55 as Ramganga and in 1955-56 was given its present name.

The Park has a remarkably varied landscape with streams, rivers, mountains, hills, forests and grasslands. It covers the majestic ranges of the Himalayas including Patlidoon bordering the river Ramganga and the undulating Shivaliks interspersed with flat plains and savannah grasslands known as 'Chaurs'. Here is a dynamic ecosystem with a variety of cover and trees including Sal, Khair, Sissoo, Kisson, Chaurs etc. capable of sustaining diverse fauna. Sal which grows up to 35 m tall is the main tree species of Corbett and often grows as a dense forest. Khair - Sissoo grow on sandy, gravelly areas mostly near the rivers and streams. Chaurs or savannah grassland is the most unique vegetation habitat of Corbett. Some of the grasslands got submerged when the Ramganga reservoir across the Ramganga river at Kalagarh came into being in 1974, stretching over an area of around 40 sq. km. of the park.

Apart from the above, more than 600 species of trees, shrubs, herbs, bamboos, grasses, climbers and ferns have been identified in the Park. Major trees are Chir pine, Palms, Kanju, Jamun, Aamla and Tendu, Bel , Kusum, Mahua and Bakli. which occur naturally in the Park and Teak, Eucalyptus, Jacaranda, Silver Oak and Bottlebrush planted artificially in and around forest rest houses. Flowering trees such as Kachnaar, Semal, Madaar, Dhak, Amaltas with their colourful blooms add beauty to the park.

Project Tiger(Jim Corbett National Park):
The overage area of the park was 520-sq-kms in 1986, and a proposed extension of 588-sq-kms is under consideration. Project Tiger, which was set up with the help of the World Wildlife Fund, was launched at Dhikala, in the Corbett National Park on April 1, 1973. This project was aimed at saving the Indian tiger from extinction. Over 50 mammals, 580 birds and 25 reptile species have been listed in the Corbett National Park.The insect life is also astounding, noticeably specially after the monsoons. But undoubtedly, the jewel of the Corbett is the Indian tiger. It was estimated that in 1984, the tiger population was 90 in this national park.

Corbett was the former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa and at present is a famous natural hub for White Tigers. White Tigers, in human and cattle population in the beginning of the 20th century led to the disturbance of this balance, and the first man-eaters started appearing. Soon the numbers of these man-eaters increased and Kumaon became famous.

The hunter Jim Corbett became famous with his leopard shooting exploits in this region. In his book "Temple Tiger", he describes how he killed the Champawat Tiger and the Panar Leopard, which had hunted 836 human beings in the first decade of this century. However from 1930s onwards, the number of tigers fell sharply with the increase in the number of hunters who belonged to the Indian royals as well British sportsmen.

The situation deteriorated rapidly and in 1971, the Indian government banned the killing of tigers. Project Tiger was started and the Jim Corbett National Park was formed - the name honoring the famous hunter of the past.

Major Wildlife Attractions - Corbett National Park
Corbett is a haven for Tigers as well as its prey, which include four kinds of Deer, Wild Boar and some lesser-known animals. Leopards are mostly found in the hilly areas of the park. Some nocturnal cats found here are the Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat and Fishing Cat. Sloth Bear is found in the lower regions of the park while the Himalayan Black Bear is seen in the higher hills only. The Dole or Wild Dog, though they can be seen in the southern areas of the park along with the Jackal.

Some of the smaller residents of the park are Himalayan Palm Civet, Indian Gray Mongoose, Common Otter, Blacknaped Hare and Porcupine. Elephants are among one of the main attractions of Jim Corbett Park. Along the Ramganga River shores, one can spot the long-snouted, fish-eating Gharial Crocodile and the ‘Mugger’ Crocodile. Also seen on the rocky hillsides is the Ghoral or Goat Antelopes. The Langur and Rhesus Monkeys are well distributed through out the park and warning the whole Jungle with alarm calls when they see either a Tiger or Leopard from tree-top perches.

Other Attractions In Corbett
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 Corbett 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.

Wildlife Viewing : 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; try to convince your Mahout or Elephant driver to venture in, as they can be quite magical. Come at dusk or dawn; 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.

Climate ( Jim Corbett National Park)
As with the rest of the country, there are three well-defined seasons at the Corbett National Park. winter from November to February, summer from March to June and the rainy season the rest of the year.


How to Reach
Air : The nearest Airport to the park is at Phoolbagh, Pantnagar ( District Nainital ) at a distance of 50 km. The nearest International Airport is at Delhi 300 km away.

Train : The Nearest Railway station to the park is Ramnagar. There is a direct train from Delhi to Ramnagar.

By Road : Nearest town Ramnagar is well connected by road to Delhi, Moradabad, Bareilly, and Naintial. State transport buses ply regularly from Delhi, Moradabad, Haldwani to Ramnagar.