Jim Corbett National Park

Land Of The Roar, Trumpet And Song
Presenting a scene or remarkable beauty, nestling in the foothills of Kumaon, is the Patlidun, a broad flat valley, where the bubbling, rushing water of the river Ramganga meander through the hills and valleys.

In Corbett National Park, nature has spared no efforts against the green and copper beauty of the forest of Sal; she has spread a carpet of the glowing red flowers of the flame of the forest, the delicate drapery of ferns and creepers and the waving Tiger grass producing an unforgettable scene of grandeur, while the colourful birds and their continous chirping, add to the enchantment. Although the Sal timber is felled and extracted in certain parts, the natural beauty of the Jim Corbett National Park area has remained unspoilt, particularly beautiful, when the flowering trees are in bloom.

Favourite For Hunters - Corbett National Park
Dhikala got its name, probably from the words ‘clum of earth’, and boxar from the boxas that inhabits the place. The Patlidun became a favourite hunting spot. Tigers, in large numbers, roamed the foot paths, road and dry river beds during all hours of the day in the south Patlidun.

Wild game hunters came on ‘Safaris’ from all parts of the world to go Tiger hunting. One such was Jim Corbett, born in the Kumaon hills, of British parents who had made a home in India. Always engrossed in animals, as a body, he would go with the ‘Shikaris’ to show them the area but soon, himself, mastered the gun. He became an avid hunter, but high school, he did not go on to university, but immersed himself in the study of fauna.

The Tiger Menace
The Tigers in Kumaon became a menace, lifting cattle and the poor villagers recklessly. Jim Corbett went out to exterminate, not, Tigers, but man-eaters and marauders. He saved many a life at the risk of his own, and eventually cleared the area of dangerous beasts.

Sir Johns Hewett, Lt. Governor of U.P., at the suggestion of James Corbett, decided to establish a wild life park. In 1935, the park opened under the name Hailey National Park, after the governor of U.P. Sir Malcom Hailey. Later it was changed to th e Ramganga National Park. Jim Corbett had in the meantime, became world-famous through his book “Man eaters of Kumaon”. His name became a byword for anyone interested in hunting and wildlife. Corbett had with his dedication to the study of the fauna of the Kumaon foot hills, became a foremost, prominent protagonist of wildlife, whose, he pleaded in his books.
Sprawling in an area of 525 sq kilometres the park initially covered 323-75 sq km but it was felt, the area was too small for species like the tiger and the elephant which at times moved into adjoining shooting blocks, which had suitable habitats, so they, too, were included. There are now no shooting blocks and the only shooting allowed is with a camera.

The Rites Of Spring in Corbett National Park
In spring-time, the entire park area of the Corbett presents a beautiful panorama - the sprouting ‘Sheesham’ leaves, the gorgeous scarlet flowers of Semal, the mauve blooms of Kachnar mingle into a psychedelic riot of colour, reflected in the sparkling waters of the Ramganga and few places can equal this shimmering scene of nature ‘out to conquer’ while the myriad varieties of exotic birds in their colourful spring plumage, help by adding their charm and filing the air with melodious song.

Home Of The Tiger - Jim Corbett National Park
Home of the roaring Tiger, trumpeting Elephant and the warbling birds, the Corbett national park has earned the name “Land of Roar, Trumpet and Song”. Locale of Jim Corbett’s books, and F.W. Champion’s famous photographs of the tiger, taken in the 1920's, nature has also been lavish with its gifts of wildlife.

The wild attractions found within Corbett are wild Elephants, Leopards, Hyenas, Jackals and Wild Dogs. There are also some magnificent Hog Deer, Barking Deer, Sambhar, Chital and Bears, both Sloth and Himalayan. There is an occasional Serow and some Gural, Mongooses, Palm Squirrel, flying Squirrel, Ratel, wild Cat, Antelopes, Deer, Wild Boar, Otter and Procupine.

In the reptile group are the Gharial or long snouted Crocodile, marsh Crocodile, Phython and the Hamadryad. There are eight watch towers in the park and Elephant Safaris are available in Dhikala to view the wild wonders from November to June.

The Glories Of The Ramganga
Coming from the high mountains, the sparkling, rushing waters emerge through the Hills below Sankar and enter the glories of the park. On either bed of the river is nature-given landscape, magnificent and picturesque. In the crystal clear waters of the river, that is not snow fed, and affected by the melting of snows, some big fish can be seen in the many pools.

The river passes through the heart of the park and debouches into the pains at Kalagarh, where is a dam. Popular with anglers, it is stocked with the mighty Mahseer, Indian Trout and Goonch. The angler can see, many of the wildlife along the river; Mandal Jn., Gairal, Sarapduli, Dhikala and Boxar are the favoured resorts.

Fishing In Ramganga
The rapids make the spoon, spinner and plugs invaluable, but the big monsters in the pools can be lured by live bait. Fishermen use the monofilament line of at least 15-20 pound strength, with a spool capable of holding at least 200m of line. The Mahseer is a good fighter and the first rush is a tremendous strain on the line for at least the first 50m. A fishing permit is necessary, it can be obtained at Dhikala. The shallows and back waters are full of small fish, which can be netted for bait.

Road To The Jim Corbett Park
After crossing the Ganges by the Garhmukteshwar Bridge, and passing through Moradabad, the road leads to the Ramganga Bridge and proceed north to Ramnagar via Kashipur. Just 19 km away is the entrance to the park. From there, the road goes on up to Ranikhet, a hill station of great charm.

Visiting Season of Corbett National Park
The park is open from November, though the roads the motorable from December 15. From November to January the visibility is poor, due to the dense undergrowth, the weather is cold and only the Tigers and Crocodiles are to be seen. Towards the end of January the visibility starts improving and the Carnivora and Deer, along with the Crocodile. The weather is pleasant and the nights, cold.

From March to June all the wildlife, come out of hibernation or their lairs, to welcome the viewer. The weather is very pleasant and the visibility is excellent. In May and June the days begin to warm up, but the night remains pleasant. The park is closed from June to October 31. The main road to Dhikala from the entrance of the park is generally ready by the end of November, the other roads are motorable by the middle of December.

Do's & Don'ts
Kiling, injuring, capturing, or even disturbing any animal, bird or reptile, and taking, or disturbing any eggs is strictly prohibited. Causing damage by fire, or otherwise, including any animal, domestic or wild and removing any animal, live or dead, is also forbidden. No product from the park, animal, vegetable or mineral can be taken away or disposed of and sold. Lastly, taking of flash-light photographs and driving of motor-vehicles in the night is taboo.

The South Patlldun-Feeding Lands
A board flat valley of the Ramganga, the Patlidun is largely savannah land spread in an area of 2,500 acres. The grassland provides home to many species of wildlife and food to various animals, birds and reptiles. It also provides opportunity to scientists, naturalists and tourists to study the wildlife in an open area, adding, at the same time, further scenic grandeur to the already splendiforous landscape.