Nestling in the foothills of the Himalayas, Corbett National Park has extremely varied topography and vegetation. This gives it a rich diversity of habitat and natural beauty. Flat valleys are interspersed with hilly ridges and the park's rolling grasslands known as the 'Chaurs' provide visitors with an excellent view of the animals.

The park was established in 1936 as the Hailey National Park, following the advice of the hunter-naturalist Jim Corbett. The park covered 520 sq. kilometres in 1986, and a proposed extension of 588 sq. kilometres is under consideration.

Sal And Its Associates
The reserve is especially notable for its Sal (Shorea Robusta), one of the major construction timbers of the country. Sal grows gregariously, along with a few so-called 'Sal Associates', and magnificent stands of almost pure Sal are to be found both in the hill ridges and in the flat valley.

Sal predominates in the tree forests, and among its familiar 'associates' here may be mentioned the 'Rohini' (Mallotus Philippinesis) for which wild Elephants seem to have a penchant, and the Karipak ('Jalneem' locally) to supply the entire requirement of all the kitchens in the south, and it is unknown to the culinary culture of Uttar Pradesh! The 'Mota Sal' stand at Dhikala is especially notable, with the trees of robust girth towering some 33m in the south.

Mixed Dry Deciduous Trees
There are mixed Dry Deciduous Forests on the Bhabar flats, featuring such trees as the Ber, Kurha, Bael, Dhak, and occasional Simal, Jhingan and Khair . Prominent in the under shrubs are Marorphali, species of Grewia and Rohini.

The forests on the rugged Shiwalik (also spelt as Siwalik) sand rocks occur mostly to the south of the reserve and contain a sprinkling of Sal, but the main species of these mixed forests are: Bakli, Khair, Jhingan, Tendu, Pula and Sain with the Chir Pine in places.

Good stands of Sal occur in the flat country, in the Shiwalik conglomerate forests. Along the Ramganga are stands of 'Sheesham', mostly of young trees, and occasionally lone 'Simal' trees.

The Chuars
The 'Chuars' constitute an important and characteristic part of the reserve, providing most of the grazing to the herbivores. A Chaur is a flat grassy black, sometimes quite extensive, and the important 'Chuars' are at Dhikala (Partly inundated now), Phulai, Khinanauli, Paterpani, Mohanpani, Bhadhai and Bijrani. These are generally man made being the reversion of abandoned cultivation to wildness, and carry many herbs and both tall and short grasses, and provide fodder to herbivores from Hog Deer to Elephants, and in places cover for the predators.

The Nullahs and ravines that go deep into the tree forests are of no less importance to the animals. These hold brakes of Bamboo along their margins and also of thick shrub growth, useful both as fodder and as cover. The thick brakes of a succulent plant, Ardisia Solanacea (and A. Floribunda), provide all herbivores with a source of life giving water during the driest months.

The lifeline of the Park is the sparkling Ramganga river which provides safe harbor to mahaseer fish, crocodile and other species.

There are over 110 varieties of trees, 51 species of shrubs and over 33 kinds of bamboo and grasses.

A Home for Vanishing species
The protective environment of Corbett Park has kept some endangered species of the world hit list have been safe and thriving, like the hog deer which has been virtually saved from extinction.

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 (Panthera Tigris) from extinction.

At last count, the numbers had increased substantially. Apart from Tigers (90 in number in 1984), leopards as well as lesser cats such as the leopard cat, jungle cat, and fishing cat are also found here. The sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, dhole, jackal, yellow throated marten, Himalayan palm civet, Indian grey mongoose, common otter, porcupine, black naped hare are the other attractions of this area. It is possible to see elephants all over the park. Corbett is also the only home of the rare Indian pagolin. Consider yourself supremely blessed if you spot one!

Tiger
Corbett is one of the most congested parks in India with a ratio of 1 tiger to every 5 acres. Gullies, ravines and thick forest cover give tigers the right kind of habitat. And herdes of deer, particularly the sambar, plenty of food. The tiger is reclusive, but can be somewhat predictable in its beat. You are more likely to spot a tiger close near a ater body than to meet him or her accidentally on the forest path!

Asiatic Elephant
What warns you is the sharp tang of freshly crushed vegetation and the sound of leaves being torn. Seeing elephants in the wild is a raw, exhilarating experience. The Corbett Park is the best place in Northern India to observe them at fairly close quarters. About 300 - 350 Asiatic elephants roam around the park in herds, along the river Ramganga or foraging in the grasslands.

The forests provide the elephants enough food. The elephant's daily diet is perked up with wild berries and fruits which are available aplenty.

Bird-lovers Paradise
The park, with its rich bio-geographic diversity, is home to more than 600 species of birds - about half of the total species found in the entire Indian subcontinent! You can see parakeets, owls, orioles, drongos, thrushes, babblers, bulbuls, cuckoos, doves, bee eaters, rollers, flycatchers, warblers, robins, chats, finches, forktails, hornbills, kingfishers and many many more. It is also possibly one of the best places in the world for observing birds of prey.

Many of these birds are migratory: the park forms a natural crossroad and meeting ground for avian species from high altitude areas, plains and eastern and western regions.

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.

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.

Corbett Wildlife Safari
Jeep Safari, is the most convenient way to travel within Corbett national park, and can be rented for the park trips from Ramnagar, from the KMVN... Jungle Safari at Corbett

How To Reach Here

Air:
The nearest airport is situated at Pantnagarn which is 80-km South-East.

Rail:
One can catch direct trains from Delhi, which are Delhi -Moradabad and Moradabad-Ramnagar.

Road:
It is linked with major road joining various states. Frequent buses are available from Nainital and Ranikhet which is 112-km North. From Delhi its just a eight hour run to Jim corbett park.