Corbett National Park

Corbett National Park

The Corbett National Park is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and is spread over the districts of Nainital and Garhwal in the State of Uttaranchal, located in northern India. The national park covers an area of 521 sq kms, with an area of 312.86 sq kms falling in Garhwal district, and the balance 208.14 sq kms in Nainital district. It was established on August 8th, 1936 and is the oldest national park of the Indian subcontinent. Corbett National Park plays an important role in the conservation of Indian Wildlife. An important event in the history of Garhwal was the Gorkha invasion. In 1803 the Gorkhas mounted their invasion, and by 1804 they had become the masters of Garhwal. Before this they had already captured Kumaon, in which the present Nainital district is located. They ruled this area for the next twelve years before the British drove them out in 1815. The British now occupied Kumaon and Garhwal. In the year 1839 an English businessman Mr P.Barron while hunting in the hills of Kumaon got lost and while finding there way back chanced on the lake around which present day Naini Tal, a popular hill-station, exists. In 1862, Naini Tal became the summer seat of the North Western Provinces, and became an important centre of education for the British, who wanted to educate their children away from the discomforts of the plains. In the same year, Edward James (Jim) Corbett's father became postmaster of Naini Tal.

The park is the haven for the Tiger lovers. There are more than 130 Tigers in the park. Tracking these big cats is the most sensational sight that can leave you spell bounded for a minute. To make you enjoy the game viewing intensely, the park organizes the Elephant Safari and Jeep Safari trips, depending upon what ever you prefer. Elephant Safari is most favorite among the wildlife enthusiasts that gives you a pack of chance to film the giant views of the tigers. Taking the elephant ride also gives you the chance to have the deepest possible meeting with the tigers at your own pace. And as you are quite far away from ground, you feel yourself pity safe while sitting on the back of the tiger. The chances of seeing a tiger gets high by traveling inside the park by jeep, since you will be able to cover wider area of the park in comparatively less time. While going for the Tiger trailing in the park, do not forget to take a experienced guide along with yourself. He is well versed in listening the howls and cries, sounds and trails which will take you to tigers easily. If you don't get to see the tigers, please don't be disappointed, as you have many other options to enjoy the lure of park. You can indulge yourself in tracking the pug marks of the tigers. But you need to be patient as it can bit time consuming. For chasing the foot prints of a tiger you need to get up early in the morning and head to the area near Ramganga, where you may find fresh pug marks of the tigers, as they come here for drinking water. Wildlife photography of the park will be another activity which will keep you engaged with its fascination.

Conservation History The Reserve area was named as 'Hailey National Park' in 1936. This was renamed in 1954-55 as 'Ramganga National Park' and again in 1955-56 as 'Corbett National Park'. Its the oldest National Park of India. It was one of the nine Tiger Reserves created at the launch of the Project Tiger in 1973. The original area of the Park was 323.75 sq. km. to which 197.07 sq. km. was added later. An area of 797.72 sq. km. was added as buffer of the Corbett Tiger Reserve in 1991. This area includes the whole of Kalagarh Forest Division (including 301.18 sq. km. area of Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary), 96.70 sq. km. of Ramnagar Forest Division and 89 sq. km. The administrative control over the entire area is that of the Field Director of the Reserve.