Corbett National Park

The protected area recevied many names before it was nitified as Corbett National Park. It is named after the legendary hunter of man eating tigers Jim Corbett. The preserve sits in the foothils of the Himalayas in Shivalik Hills.

The reserve is famous for Bengal tigers and wild elephants in India Besdies one can see the panther, wild boar, sloth bear, goral, hog deer and many more animals. It is India's finest birding destination with more than 500 avian species inhabiting the preserve.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

The park is open from mid October to June and closed during the monsoon. Winters are the best time for visiting from November to February, till mid March. This season is ideal for Corbett Tour and provides exciting wildlife safaris.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

Fauna

The spectacular Ramganga is the mian source of water in the park. The riverine system supports vide variety of fish as well as Gharial and Marsh Crocodile. The forests are home to a very large number of mammals but the prime attractions are the tiger, leopard, elephant and hog deer. Other animals seen are sloth bear, wild dog, wild boar, jungle cat, leopard, cat, fishing cat and many species of deer. Less seen are Himalayan black bear, yellow throated marten, palm civet, common otter, fox, porcupine and the black naped hare.

Project Tiger was inaugurated here on April 1, 1973. The center of tourist attraction are the chuads or meadows. The Dhikala Chuad is the largest and best feeding grounds for the elephants in summer. There are number of old rest houses available for accommodations. A number of luxury hotels are based in the periphery for long stays.

HOW TO REACH

BY AIR - Phoolbagh, Pantnagar at a distance of 50 km is the nearest airport. Delhi at a distance of 300 km is the nearest international airport.

BY RAIL - Ramnagar is on the broad gauge track from where the road transport options have to be availed to reach the park.

BY ROAD - Dhikala is 300 km from Delhi, 145 km from Lucknow and 51 km from Ramnagar. The route from Delhi spans Hapur-Murababad-Ramnagar. The turn off is some 7 km beyond Muradabad to the left, marked by a small board. The route from Lucknow spans Bareilly-Kichha-Rudrapur-Doraha-Kashipur.

Flora

Corbett National Park is biodiversity rich region. The Sal (Shorea robusta) tree dominates the canopy along with bamboo and extended grasslands. Shisham (Dalbergia sissoo), Saja, dhak, khair (Acacia katechu) bakli (Anogeissus latifolia), chir (Pinus roxburghii), kanju, ber, gurail (Bauhinia racemosa) palas, thrive in the preserve.

Avian Species

Corbett can be described as the finest place for birding in Northern India. The avian species visit from, Siberia, Europe, Norternmost reaches of Himalayas and elsewhere. Interesting species are Ibisbill, Wall Creeper, Red Necked Falcon, White Tailed Rubythroat, Scarlet Minivet, Long Tailed Minivet, Rosy Minivet, asian Paradise Flyctacher, Rufous Bellied Niltava, Rufous Woodpecker, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Himalayan Woodpecker, Tawny Fish Owl, Brown Fish Owl, Jungle Myna, Shikra, Red Breasted Parakeet, Alexandrine Parakeet, Velvet Fronted Nuthatch, Lesser Racket Tailed Drongo, Bronze Drongo, White Crested Laughing Thrush, Spamgled Drongo, Green Billed Malkoha, Common Tree Pie, Grey Treepie, Pin Tailed Green Pigeon, Rufous Gorgeted Flycatcher, Little Pied Flycatcher, Common Babbler, Bluethroat, Red Throated Flycatcher, Kalij Pheasant, Scaly Bellied Woodpecker, Streak Throated Woodpecker and many more.