India's first national park is cradled
in the foothills of the Himalayas and spreads over an area of 520 sq. kms.,
along the bank of Ramganga river. The dense Sal forests of Himalayan foothills
and the tall grassy meadows make it one of the richest areas of northern
India for the habitation of big mammals.
Situated in the hilly districts
of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal, the park was first established in 1936,
by the then Governor Sir Malcom hailey and was named Haily National Park.
After independence, the park was renamed Ramganga National Park and finally in 1957, it was named Corbett national Park in honour
of the late Jim Corbett, the legendary author and photographer whohelped
in demarcating the park's boundaries and setting it up.
Following international appeal to save
the world's most magnificent beasts, Project Tiger was launched
with the help of World Wildlife Fund on April 1st 1973, making the
Corbett Park a heaven for the tigers.
The lake in the park attracts a large number
of species of water birds, both migrants and others, that frequent
it's water, mainly in the winter. Among the reptiles, the long snouted,
fish eating gharial and mugger (crocodiles) could be seen basking
in the sun on the sand banks. Sporting fish such as mahseer and
malee thrive in the lake and in the river, offering great fishing,
sport to anglers.
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Different species of trees, shrubs,
bamboo and grass make up the lush vegetation of the park. The sanctuary
is dominated by pure sal, for which the park is known. It is found in
the lower hilly ridges and flat valleys while the soothing green shisham
is in abundance in the revering area. The balky enriches the hues of park
with its reddish leaves and pale bark and the the chaurs, the savannah
grasslands are covered with a variety of grass. 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.
The tiger is the bigger attraction of this park.
Other carnivores include the leopard, elephant, bear, hog, sambar deer,
muntjac and fox. The park has more than 300 species of birds. The common
birds seen here are ducks snipe egrets, herons, spotted eagle, harrier,
woodpecker, darter, cormorants and thrushes.
The Ramganga is the home of the prehistoric reptiles,
gharial 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.
The chital and the well known spotted deer, considered
to be one of the most beautiful in the world congregate in large numbers
in the vast grassland choirs of Corbett.
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