Corbett is the northern most extend of the Asian Elephant @ Nanak Dhingra
Evergreen Sal forests at Corbett National Park @ Aditya Singh
Male tusker up close @ Aditya Singh
Herd of Chital Stags @ Nanak Dhingra
Tiger crossing the Ramganga @ Nanak Dhingra
Lightning strike at Dhikala @ Nanak Dhingra
Corbett National ParkCorbett National Park, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand
Established in 1936 and renamed in 1957 after the legendary hunter-turned-naturalist Jim Corbett, Corbett has the glory of being India’s first National Park. Corbett is situated in the central foothills of the Himalayas, between the Himalayan and Sivalik ranges, which accounts for its rich bio-diversity. Because of its high density of tigers, elephants and a spectacular array of birds, Corbett is aptly described as the land of ‘Roar, Trumpet and Song’.
Corbett’s lifeline is the Ramganga river, which meanders through dense forests before it drains into a large reservoir surrounded by grasslands that stretch for miles. This zone, known as Dhikala, lies at the very heart of the park and offers the best opportunities for wildlife viewing. Tigers are elusive here compared to some of the other parks in the country but in recent years the sightings have vastly improved. Leopards are the second largest predator in the reserve and elephants are the dominant mammals here, but even they are dwarfed by the overwhelming landscape. The lesser predators are the Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, the rare Fishing Cat, Golden Jackal and Yellow-throated Marten. Both the Sloth Bear and the Brown Bear are reported here but seldom seen. Herbivores found here are Spotted Deer, Sambar, Hog Deer and Muntjac, while on steep slopes you’ll find the elusive goat antelope – Goral. The Ramganga River is home to the endemic Gharial (fish eating crocodile), Muggers (marsh crocodiles), Common Otters as well as the legendary sportfish – Golden Mahseer.
A virtual haven for birders visiting North India, Corbett hosts over 500 species of resident and migratory birds. The rich bird life includes species like Pallas’s and Lesser Fish Eagle, Brown and Tawny Fish Owl, Collared Falconet, Hodgson’s Bushchat, Nepal Wren Babbler, Slaty headed Parakeet, Pin-tailed Green Pigeon, Great Slaty Woodpecker, Long tailed Broadbill, Black-chinned Babbler, White tailed Rubuthroat, Crested Kingfisher, Great Hornbill, Wallcreeper, Brown Dipper, Plumbeous and White-capped Water Redstarts and Little, Slaty-backed and Spotted Forktails, Small and Rufous-bellied Niltava. Dhikala is an excellent place to look out for vultures like the Long-billed, White-backed, Indian Black, Eurasian, Himalayan and the Red-headed Vulture.
- State: Uttarakhand
- Area: 1380 sq. km (Combining Core and buffer forest)
- Altitude: 400 to 1210 m above mean sea level
- Vegetation: Moist deciduous, Tropical dry deciduous, Subtropical Conifers
- Water resources: Ramganga, Mandal, Plain, Sona Nadi, lakes and small rain fed streams
- Winter: November to March
- Summer: March to June
- Monsoon: July to September
- Rainfall: 1400 – 2800 mm
- Temperature: Min 0°C – Max 42°C