| The sheer natural splendour of Corbett National Park | | | | Ramnagar town is the HQ for Corbett Tiger Reserve |
| sets it apart from most of the other reserve forests | | | | and any official work involving the forest office has to |
| and wildlife sanctuaries, not only in India but across the | | | | be completed here. There are direct trains to |
| world. Situated in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, it is | | | | Ramnagar from Delhi, Varanasi and Lucknow. |
| spread over an area of about 1300 square kms. of | | | | Ramnagar is also well connected by road to Lucknow, |
| which about 500 square kms. comprise the core area | | | | Nainital, Ranikhet, Haridwar, Dehradun and New Delhi |
| and the rest is the buffer zone. Hills, river belts, wide | | | | (295 kms). From Ramnagar one has to arrange for |
| expanse of grasslands, marshes and a number of | | | | transporttion to the Park itself. |
| lakes of different sizes traverse the picturesque | | | | Commuting inside the Park |
| landscape. The elevation ranging from 1300ft to 4000ft | | | | The best way to travel within the park is the Jeep |
| the forest cover is predominantly deciduous with sal, | | | | Safari, the jeeps being rented from Ramnagar, from |
| haldu, pipal, rohini and mango trees spreading over | | | | the KMVN Tourist Lodge and other travel agencies. |
| almost 75% of the park area. Incidentally, the Park | | | | The open vehicles offer the best view of the park. |
| happens to be an eco-tourism destination with almost | | | | Every vehicle has to be accompanied by a trained |
| 488 species of plants and a very interesting variety of | | | | guide who helps in spotting wildlife and gives other |
| fauna. | | | | information on the park as well. |
| Established in 1936, Corbett National Park is the oldest | | | | A two-hour elephant ride may be arranged from the |
| national park in India. Called the Hailey National Park | | | | forest rest house at Dhikala and this is a convenient |
| originally, the Park was renamed in 1957 in honour of | | | | way to penetrate the tall grass barriers and explore |
| Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter-turned-naturalist to | | | | the jungles a little beyond. |
| recognise his contributions in setting it up. The Project | | | | Best Time to visit |
| Tiger was launched in Corbett National Park in 1973 as | | | | The best time to visit Corbett is from November 15 to |
| a conservation programme for saving the Indian Tiger | | | | June 15 when the park gates are open for the tourist. |
| population and this park was one of the first such tiger | | | | Corbett remains closed between June 16 and |
| reserves in the country. | | | | November 14, owing to heavy monsoons and possible |
| Wildlife Attractions | | | | infrastructure breakdown. |
| The main attraction of the Corbett National Park is of | | | | Winter is very pleasant with temperatures ranging |
| course the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. The dense | | | | between 5°C to 25°C but summers can be |
| jungles, natural water-holes and the Ramganga river | | | | very hot during the day. |
| and an adequate prey-base make this reserve an | | | | Accommodation facilities |
| ideal habitat for the tiger, which however is not very | | | | In order to get accommodation in the forest rest |
| easily spotted. | | | | houses inside the park, permits and reservations have |
| Leopards and smaller felines like the jungle cat, fishing | | | | to be obtained from the forest office. Apart from this, |
| cat and the leopard cat are residents of this jungle but | | | | there are hotels of different budgets available in |
| the cat family in general is very elusive. Other | | | | Ramnagar and the adjoining areas. |
| mammals include the deer family (barking deer, | | | | Things to remember |
| sambar, black buck and chital), the Sloth Bear and the | | | | The increase in tourist activities, among other problems |
| Himalayan Black bears, mongooses,otters, | | | | adds to the difficulties of maintaining the park's |
| goat-antelpoes, langurs and rhesus monkeys. | | | | ecological balance mainly because of a lack of |
| Elephants may be seen either in herds or occasionally | | | | awareness. So it is required that a few essentials be |
| as the lone tuskar. Corbett is the bird-watchers | | | | remembered when visiting Corbett National Park or |
| paradise with a wide range of avian species. Corbett | | | | any other forest for that matter. |
| National park. Along the Ramganga River shores, can | | | | · Always listen to what the guide says |
| be spotted the long-snouted, Gharial Crocodile and the | | | | · You are not allowed to get down from the |
| 'Mugger' Crocodile. The Corbett national Park had | | | | vehicle apart from where stipulated |
| undertaken a breeding programme for crocodiles to | | | | · Loud colours and perfume will make human |
| prevent its extinction. | | | | presence obvious and reduce your chances of wildlife |
| How to reach | | | | sighting. |