INFORMATION ON JIM CORBETT NATIONAL PARK, UTTARANCHAL PRADESH, INDIA

India national animal, the tiger is the largest amongst the living cats and universally acclaimed as one of the most grand animal found on the earth. Originally there sub species have already become exticnct and remaining five are critically endangered through out their range. According to he current estimate the world wide numbers of tiger in the wild has declined to another six thousand, half of which are found in India. Jim Corbett National Park harbours one of the last sizeble population of the bengal (Indian) tiger- Panthera tigris.

Govt of India launched an ambitious conservation scheme project tiger on 1st april, 1973 to secure the preservation of tiger by using the tiger as a symbol of national heritage to ensure the protection of all major ecosystem in the tiger range. Jim Corbett National Park is the site of launch of project tiger. A network of 23 tiger reserves spread over fourteen states has been established under the project during the last twenty five years.

Jim Corbett National Park spread over an area of 1318.54 sq. km. is situated in the foothills of Himalayas mainly in the district of Pauri Garwal and Nainital. Jim Corbett National Park contains two protected areas within its precincts, namly Jim Corbett National Park { CNP 520.82 sq.kms.} and Sonanadi wildlife sanctuary {WLS-301.18 sq.kms.}. Jim Corbett National Park was established on 8th august, 1936 and happens to be the oldest national park of the Indian subcontinent. Jim Corbett National Park lies in the Shiwalik- terai biotic province abutting the Himalayas. This has resulted in great habital diversity. One can see Himalayan animalsalong with numerous other animals and flora of peninsular India.

The tiger reserve has a tall mountain of outer Himalayas towards its north while the drier Shivalik range lies on the south. The rain fed river Ramganga is the life line of Jim Corbett National Park, it enters tiger reserve near Marchula, flows through the south Patlidoon valley in the heart of Jim Corbett National Park before emerging out of the reserve at kalagarh after covering a distance of nearly 40 kms. Mandal, Palain and Sonanadi are its main tributaries. Construction of a dam across Ramganga at Kalagarh led to the formation of a large manmade reservior spread over an area of 82 sq. kms.

Khair -sisco forest thrive in river line areas while sal forest are found on hilly slopes and ridges. Around aone tenth of Jim Corbett National Park has open grasslands which are locally known as chaurs. Dhikala, Paterpani, Phulai, Khinnanauli, Bijrani, Patila, Kothirau and Jhirna are some of the important chaurs of Jim Corbett National Park. Jim Corbett National Park along with Rajaji National Park contains the northwestern most tiger population of India. Other cats which can be seen in corbett are Leopard, Jungle Cat and Leopard Cat. Large herds of asiatic elephants aggregate in the Ramganga valley in the summers. A variety of deers sre found here: Sambar, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer and Hog Deer. Some of other mammal species found are blue bull, sloth bear, jackal, wild pig, goral, yellow throated marten, small Indian civet, grey mongoose, procupine, otters and rabbits.

The fish eating crocodile or gharial, a highly endangered species, is found alongwith mugger crocodile in the Ramganga river and the reservoir. Mahaseer, goonch and trout fishes, several species of turtle abound in the river. Sal forest tortoise is restricted to forest areas. King cobra, python and monitor lizard are also found within Jim Corbett National Park.

Jim Corbett National Park has a spectacular avifaunal diversity. Over 500 species of resident and migratory birds have been recorded in and around Jim Corbett National Park. Forty nine species of diurnal reptors are found here forming a characterstics element of a avifauna. Great pied hombill, pallas's, fishing eagle, collared falconet are some of the endangerd birds found in the Jim Corbett National Park. The bird life is varied in different parts of the reserve. The avifaunal diversity is at peak during winters

Annually around 50,000 tourist visit Jim Corbett National Park. More then one tenth of these are foreigners. The visitor facilities of Jim Corbett National Park are maintained by the Tiger Reserve management and there are no private lodges inside the reserve. There are five mutually exclusive tourism zones each having separate gate for entrance.Tourism zone - Gate

Information and park publications can be obtained from the reception offices located at Ramnagar, Amdanda, Bijrani, Dhangari, Dhikala, Kotdwara and Kalagarh, visitors can stay outside the reserve in hotels/ private lodges and go on day visit or halt inside the reserve in forest rest houses. Apart from three tourist complex located at Dhikala, Gairal and Bijrani eighteen other forest rest houses located inside and around Jim Corbett National Park are open to tourists.

Private vehicles can be taken inside the reserve alternatively, visitor can avail of the conducted tours being run by Jim Corbett National Park. Private open jeeps are also available at Ramnagar, food is available at Dhikala and Bijrani canteens. Visitors are required to cook their own meals in other forest rest houses. Basic cooking utensils and crockery are available in all forest rest houses.

The complex at Dhangari gate has a visitor center where visitors are oriented towards Jim Corbett National Park's ecology and biodiversity. In a museum nearby triphies of tiger, leopard and other animals have been put on display. The complex also has a cafe and a nature shop from where souvenirs can be purchased.

Elephant rides are available only at Dhikala, Khinanauli, Bijrani and Gairal. For wildlife viewing therre are watch tower at Dhikala, Phulai and Jhirna and several machans near Dhikala, Bijrani and at Kothorau. There is a five kilometer long nature trail at Bijrani.