The man of wildlife, “Edward James Corbett”
We would take you to the back in the 18th century when this great man was born, Edward James Corbett- the man who saved humans from tigers and then saved tigers from humans.
Who was the Edward James Corbett?
He was a Britisher and was born on 25th July 1875 in Nainital district of Uttrakhand. He was the Eighth child of his parents and his father was a post master by profession.
Why he killed tigers?
He killed around 19 tigers and 14 leopards as per the historical facts during the year of 1907 to 1938. Day by day tigers were killing the humans and this increasing fear was effecting the population.
What made this transformation of conservationist into him?
He learned that tigers became man eaters only because they were hunted by the humans and just to save themselves with the gunshots they used to attack the human. Just to make the space between the humans and wildlife he decided to spread awareness of saving the wildlife and nature from humans.
That day the first step towards the formation of Corbett was taken by starting the awareness about saving the nature and wildlife.
What he did for saving the wildlife and nature?
He was the man who played a key role in establishing the Jim Corbett National Park and spread a lot of awareness about conserving the wildlife and nature.
He gave lectures to the groups, schools and colleges for the awareness about how the nature and jungles are important to us and the wildlife in them.
He also promoted the foundation of Association for the Preservation of Game in the United Provinces and the All-India Conference for the Preservation of Wildlife.
He wrote many books about the Park Jim Corbett.
Story Behind the name Jim Corbett National Park
After when the Jim Corbett Park was established its name was kept after the Governor of the place, Lord Malcolm Hailey and was kept as Hailey National Park. Later it was named as Ramganga National Park and only after 1954-55, it was named as the Jim Corbett National Park to give tribute to this leading man behind this conservation initiative.
Corbett Museum
This museum is one of the attractions at Jim Corbett National Park and very people know this that it is actually the home of James Corbett. Every weapon of Corbett which he used for killing tigers or preys from different areas, manuscripts and sketches. Everything is kept for visitors so people can see what was the lifestyle of the man who founded Corbett National Park. Visiting this place would actually make you aware of some presence of Corbett and the museum is built on the home place of James Corbett which makes it a major attraction.
Few Quotes from his famous writings
Man Eaters Of Kumaon – “The wound that has caused a particular tiger to take to man-eating might be the result of a carelessly fired shot and failure to follow up and recover the wounded animal, or be the result of the tiger having lost his temper while killing a porcupine”.
Jungle Lore – “The time I spent in the jungles held unalloyed happiness for me, and that happiness I would now gladly share. My happiness, I believe, resulted from the fact that all wildlife is happy in its natural surroundings. In nature there is no sorrow, and no repining. A bird from a flock, or an animal from a herd, is taken by hawk or carnivorous beast and those that are left rejoice that their time had not come today, and have no thought of tomorrow.”
The Man eating leopard of Rudraprayag – “Leopards, that is ordinary forest leopards, do not like rain and invariably seek shelter, but the man eater was not an ordinary leopard, and there was no knowing what his likes or dislikes were, or what he might or might not do.”
His Words – “Tigers, except when wounded or when man-eaters, are on the whole very good-tempered…Occassionally a tiger will object to too close an approach to its cubs or to a kill that it is guarding. The objection invariably takes the form of growling, and if this does not prove effective itis followed by short rushes accompanied by terrifying roars. If these warnings are disregarded, the blame for any injury inflicted rests entirely with the intruder”
Champwat Man – Eater – “I had spent many nights in the jungle looking for game, but this was the first time I had ever spent a night looking for a man-eater. The length of road immediately in front of me was brilliantly lit by the moon, but to right and left the overhanging trees cast dark shadows, and when the night wind agitated the branches and the shadows moved, I saw a dozen tigers advancing on me, and bitterly regretted the impulse that had induced me to place myself at the man-eater’s mercy. I lacked the courage to return to the village and admit I was too frightened to carry out my self-imposed task, and with teeth chattering, as much from fear as from cold, I sat out the long night. As the grey dawn was lighting up the snowy range which I
was facing, I rested my head on my drawn-up knees, and it was in this position my men an hour later found me fast asleep; of the tiger I had neither heard nor seen anything.”
His Words – “Tigers, except when wounded or when man-eaters, are on the whole very good-tempered…Occassionally a tiger will object to too close an approach to its cubs or to a kill that it is guarding. The objection invariably takes the form of growling, and if this does not prove effective itis followed by short rushes accompanied by terrifying roars. If these warnings are disregarded, the blame for any injury inflicted rests entirely with the intruder”