Jim Corbett National Park

About Jim Corbett National Park Safari Dates & Timings – Ramnagar

Ramnagar is well-known for being the gateway to Corbett National Park and attracts lot of tourist because of its geogrophical location. There are number of hotels and resorts in and around Ramnagar. The town was established and settled by Commissioner H. Ramsay in 1856-1884. Its proximity to Nainital, makes it even more popular. Jim Corbett National Park spread over an area of 1318.54 sq. km. is situated in the foothills of Himalayas mainly in the district of Pauri Garwal and Nainital. ” Jim Corbett National Park ” contains two protected areas within its precincts, namly Jim Corbett National Park and Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary.

It was established on 8th august, 1936 and happens to be the oldest national park of the Indian subcontinent. It spreads over parts of two districts, a major part of park with an area of falls in Pauri Garhwal district and the remaining in Nainital district. The park occupies portions of Kalagarh and Ramnagar forest divisions.

India national animal, the tiger is the largest amongst the living cats and universally acclaimed as one of the most grand animal found on the earth. Originally there sub species have already become extinct and remaining five are critically endangered through out their range. According to he current estimate the world wide numbers of tiger in the wild has declined to another six thousand, half of which are found in India. Jim Corbett National Park, harbours one of the last sizeble population of the bengal (Indian) tiger- Panthera tigris.

Corbett History

Jim Corbett National Park India has always been famous for their resident tigers. Initially Jim Corbett National Park reserve was named as ‘Hailey National Park’ in 1936. Jim Corbett National Park was renamed in 1954-55 as ‘Ramganga National Park’ and again in 1955-56 as ‘Jim Corbett National Park’ after Jim Corbett who hunted down tigers that had turned man-eaters, between 1907 to 1939. Jim Corbett National Park India is the 1st and oldest National Park of India. It was one of the nine Tiger Reserves created at the launch of the Project Tiger in 1973. Project Tiger was launched in Ram nagar with the help of World Wildlife Fund on April 1st 1973, making the Corbett Park a heaven for the tigers.

Read about story behind jim corbett national park

Tourism Zone Gate of Corbett Tiger Reserve

• Bijrani Amdanda
• Dhikala Dhangari
• Domunda Durgadevi
• Jhirna Khara, Kalagarh
• Sonanadi Vatanvasa

Major Wildlife Attractions in Jim Corbett

Corbett is inhibiting 580 species of birds including water fowl , 17 types of woodpecker, raptors like Pallas fishing eagle, harriers and kites, peafowl , khaliz pheasant , the rare chir phesant , red jungle fowl , minivets, shrikes, cuckos, drongos and barbets . A fine reservoir on the river formed with the building of a dam at Kalagarh now attracts diverse species of water birds – both local and migratory

The common birds seen here are ducks snipe egrets, herons, spotted eagle, harrier, woodpecker, darter, cormorants and thrushes. Amongst the birds are the pea fowl, the jungle fowl, grey and black partridge, pigeons, quails, kingfisher, kite, lark and the woodpecker. Elephants are among one of the main attractions of Jim Corbett Park. Several elephants live in the park, but they keep moving to the adjacent areas in search of food. The Ramganga is the home of the prehistoric reptiles, gharial, mahaseer fishes and the mugger. The gharial has been saved from extinction in the park through captive breeding. A few species of turtles and tortoises are also found in and around lake.

Amongst the reptiles are python, crocodile and many species of lizards and snakes. Crocodiles in Corbett Tigers are fairly well distributed over the park and inhabit the large number of ravines and open glades The natural food of the tiger consists of Sambhar, Chital, Kakar, Para and wild boar is found in plenty all over the reserve. Also seen on the rocky hillsides is the Ghoral or Goat Antelopes. The Langur and Rhesus Monkeys are well distributed through out the jim corbett national park and warning the whole Jungle with alarm calls when they see either a Tiger or Leopard

Facts about Jim Corbett Park

• Area 520.8 sq km.
• Altitude Between 400 mt and 1,100 mt
• Temperature Max 40 deg. cel. and Min 19 deg. cel. (summer)
• Max 25 deg. cel. and Min 4 deg. cel. (winter)
• Main Entry is Dhangari
• Main Tourist Center is Dhikala
• Season Nov 15 to Jun 15
• Local Transport Coaches and jeeps can be hired from the national park office at Ramnagar.
• Elephants are available for wildlife viewing at Dhikala, Khinanauli and Bijrani.
• Elephant rides are conducted every morning and evening.
• Corbett national park attracts lots of tourist from India and out side India.
• During the monsoon from June to October, the park remains closed to tourists and the animals move to the hilly areas of Corbett at this time.
• Annually around 50,000 tourist visit Jim Corbett National Park. More then one tenth of these are foreigners. The visitor facilities of Jim Corbett National Park are maintained by the Tiger Reserve management and there are no private lodges inside the reserve. There are five mutually exclusive tourism zones each having separate gate for entrance.

Corbett Park – Rules and Regulation

• Carrying of firearms of any kind is not permitted within the Tiger Reserve.
• No pets can be taken inside the National Park.
• Walking or trekking within the National Park is strictly prohibited.
• Driving inside the Tiger Reserve after sunset is prohibited.
• Cooking is not allowed within the National Park and at Dhikala, bijrani, Gairal and Jhirna tourist complex. In other rest houses visitors can cook within the provided space.
• Visitors are required to carry a litterbag while entering in the Tiger reserve and bring back their non-biodegradable litter (tin cans, plastic, glass bottles, metal foils etc.) outside the Reserve. Throwing litter inside the Tiger Reserve other than in garbage bins will invite severe penalties.
• Official registered guide is compulsory on excursions.
• Smoking outside residential complex/rest house and lighting of any kind of fire is strictly prohibited.
• Fishing without permit is prohibited. Fishing with permits can be done only in areas outside Corbet National Park and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and only between 1st October to 30th June.
• Playing of transistor and tape recorders within the Tiger Reserve is strictly prohibited.
• Visitors are required to observe timings for excursions and are prohibited from taking vehicles off the designated routes thereby causing damage to plant or animal life or their habitat.
• Blowing of horns and driving above the speed limit is strictly prohibited within the Tiger Reserve.
• Entry into the restricted zone by the visitors is prohibited.
• Shouting, teasing, chasing animals or attempts to feed them are prohibited and will invite severe penalties.
• Visitors are advised to occupy accomodation as reserved on the first day itself or send prior intimation to hold the accomodation. Otherwise, the reservation will be treated as cancelled.
• Maximum two adults and two children (below 12 years) per room are allowed to stay in the tourism zone. One extra bed can be provided on payment of prescribed charges.
• Visitors are compulsorily required to obtain a clearance certificate before leaving their place of residence within the Tiger Reserve.
• Visitors are advised to wear clothes of colours, which merge with the natural surroundings (khaki, olive green, other dull colours).
• Visitors are required to switch off lights, fans and water taps when not in use and park their vehicles at appropriate parking place.
• Visitors have to obtain entry permits at the reception. Entry timings are regulated in such a manner that visitors must reach their place of stay before prescribed time.
• Day visit to Dhikala Tourism Zone is not permitted except in conducted trips orgnized by Corbett Tiger Reserve.
• Entry of private buses in Bijrani Tourism Zone is prohibited.
• Permit would be issued for three days and two nights only.
• Entry into the Tiger Reserve with or without a pass is on their own risk of the visitors. The authorities shall not be responsible in any way for damages caused if any.
• Permit is not transferable and amount is not refundable, once permit is issued.
• Non-vegetarian food and use of liquor is prohibited inside the park.
• Entry fee will have to be paid at every entrance gate/reception.

Want to know about 6 best birding trails in jim corbett?