1. • Altitude: 385-1100 m above mean sea level
• Annual rainfall: 1400-2800 mm.
• Temperature range: 4°C in winter to 42°C during summer.
Country India
State Uttarakhand
District(s) Nainital
Established 1936
Nearest city Ramnagar
Area 520 square kilometres (200 sq mi)
• Elevation • 1,210 metres (3,970 ft)
Climate
Temperature
• 32.5 °C (90.5 °F)
• Summer
• 14.5 °C (58.1 °F)
• Winter
50,000 (1999)
Visitation
70,000 expected in 2010[1]
Project Tiger, Government of
Governing
Uttarakhand, Wildlife Warden,
body
Corbett National Park
INTRODUCTION:
Jim Corbett National Park—named after the hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett
who played a key role in its establishment—is the oldest national park in India.[2] The
park was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park.
HISTORY
The area that now comprises Corbett National Park and its surroundings
was known for its wildlife and scenic beauty more than a hundred years
ago.

2. Efforts to save the forests of the region began in the 19th century. The
first step in the protection of the area began in 1868 when their
management was taken over by the Forest Department.
Later, in the early 1900s several Britishers, including E.R. Stevans and
E.A. Smythies, mooted the idea of setting up of a National Park on this
soil. It was only in the 1930s that the process for demarcation of such an
area got underway, assisted by Jim Corbett, who knew the area well.
The U.P. National Park Act was finally passed in 1935 and Asia’s first
National Park came into existence. The Park was spread over an area of
122 square miles (about 312 sq.km) was first named as Hailey National
Park. After independence, in 1952, the name was changed to Ramganga
National Park. Then in 1957, the park was once again christened Corbett
National Park as a tribute to the legendary Jim Corbett.
Corbett added yet another first to its credit when in 1973 when Corbett
National Park served as the launchpad for India’s tiger protection
programme Project Tiger and also became India’s first Tiger Reserve.
The Tiger Reserve was reorganised and presently includes two protected
areas – Corbett National Park and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary – and parts of
reserve forests, covering a total area of 1318 sq. km.
LOCATION:
Corbett National Park lies in two districts – Nainital and Pauri – in the hill state
of Uttaranchal in northern India. It covers an area of 521 sq. km and together
with the neighbouring Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary and Reserve Forest
areas, forms the Corbett Tiger Reserve over 1288 sq. km.
FLORA
FLORA
More than 600 species of trees, shrubs, herbs, bamboos, grasses, climbers and
ferns have been identified in the Park. Trees
The most visible trees found in Corbett are sal, khair and
sissoo .

3. Chir pine is the only conifer of the Park .The upper reaches
near Kanda have Oak growing which is essentially a
Himalayan species.
Palms include Khajur or Date-palm , Kanju, Jamun and Aamla
are found scattered throughout
Flowering trees lend colour to the forests in Corbett. The main ones are
Kachnaar with pink to white flowers, Semal with big red blooms, Dhak or Flame-
of-the-forest with bright orange flowers, Madaar or Indian Coral with scarlet red
flowers and Amaltas with bright yellow chandelier like blooms.
Some species of trees that do not occur naturally in the Park have been
artificially planted in and around habitation. These include Teak, Eucalyptus,
Jacaranda , Silver Oak and Bottlebrush, and can be seen in and around forest
rest houses.
Shrubs
There are several species of shrubs in open areas and provide food and habitat to
many birds and animals. Maror phali is an easily noticeable shrub.. Karaunda,
with pinkish-white flowers and sour fruit, is found under sal.
Bamboo
In some parts of Corbett the vegetation is dominated by bamboo forest. The main
species is Male Bamboo having clustered stout stems and shining papery stem
sheaths.
Bamboos follow a peculiar flowering process. All bamboos in a forest flower
together at the same time once in several decades.
Herbs
Herbs include many species of wildflowers belonging mostly
to Pea and Aster families. They are most visible on
grasslands or chaurs and on open areas.
Grasses
Grasses form the largest group of plant species in Corbett
with more than 70 species recorded. They occupy different
habitats, especially chaurs.
They include Kansi Baib or Bhabar, Narkul , Tiger Grass Khus Khus etc.
Woody climbers
Woody climbers found in the park are Milletia auriculata, Crypotepris buchanani,
Porana paniculata (dense canopy with profuse white flowers), Clematis gouriana
(shrubby twiner with tendril like branches) and Bauhinia vahlii (flat rusty hairy
pods, large leaves used for making pattal)
Epiphytes and orchids

4. Epiphytes are plants that grow above the ground on other plants, and derive
nutrients and water from rain, the air, dust, etc. They are found on sal and other
trees in the park.
They include Dendrophthoe falcata (scarlet red flowers), Scurrula cordifolia (hairy
coating on shoots and leaves), Vanda testacea (orchid with flat keeled leaves and
beautiful spike flowers), Cuscuta reflexa (or ‘Dodder’, with interlaced yellow cord
like habit, growing on shrubs).
Wetland vegetation
The semi aquatic species which inhabit marshy areas of Corbett include
Polygonum, Veronica, Hypericum and Ranunculus etc.
Non-flowering plants
Non-flowering plants include ferns, mosses
and lichens. Many kinds of fungi are found on
rotting trunks and accumulating debris. These
include mushrooms, brilliantly patterned
toadstools, and puffballs. The presence of
lichens symbolises good air and environment
and many kinds of colourful lichens grow on
mature tree trunks and boulders all over
Corbett.
FAUNA
Corbett National Park is one of India's most beautiful wildlife areas has a tiger
population of around 160, which makes this park as the last and the most
important bastion of this endangered species in India.
Tiger
The tiger (Panthera tigris) is perhaps the most
celebrated of the wild animals of India. There
existed eight subspecies of tiger, out of which
three have gone extinct.
The tiger is an indicator of a healthy wilderness
ecosystem. If the tiger is protected, our forests
will also live. And forests mean good air and
plenty of freshwater, both of which affect our
own survival.
Photo : Rajiv Bhartari top
The Asian Elephant

5. There are three surviving species of elephants in the world, one in Asia and two in
Africa. The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is distributed in the Indian
subcontinent and Southeast Asia.Corbett Tiger Reserve has about 700 Asian
elephants.
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Deer
Corbett has four species of deer. They are the most frequently sighted large
mammals in the Park.
Chital or Spotted deer is the commonest of deer species of
Corbett. Chital are ecologically important because they form
an important prey base for carnivores like leopards and
tigers. They also help in dispersal of plant seeds including
grasses and also tree and shrub species like amla, ber, etc.
Para or Hog Deer is the rarest of Corbett’s deer. It is closely
related to the chital but is smaller in size.
Sambar is the largest deer found in Corbett. Sambar is the most important prey
species for the tiger and presence of sambar usually indicates a good tiger
habitat.

6. Kakar or Barking Deer is the smallest of Corbett’s deer. They are a prey for
tigers, leopards, jackals and pythons.
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Other mammals
The Leopard is the other large cat found in Corbett.
There are two species of primates found in Corbett. The Rhesus Macaque
is the commonest monkey of the Indian subcontinent. Hanuman or
Common Langur has an unmistakable appearance
Himalayan Goral or Ghural is a goat-like animal that occurs in the
Himalayas between 1,000 to 4,000 m.
Wild boar is the ancestor of the domesticated pig that lives in moist forests
and scrub. It has long, curved canine teeth (called tusks) that are used for
digging food and as weapons.
The Asiatic Jackal is a member of the dog family.
Corbett is one of the few places in India where three species
of otter are found existing together..
The species of otters occurring in Corbett Park are Eurasian or Common otter ,
Smooth-coated otter and Small-clawed otter..
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Birds

7. Corbett has over 600 species, many of them rare and
endangered, have been recorded in and around the park..
This inherent richness in bird life increases even further during winter with the
arrival of numerous migrants – some, like osprey and ducks, coming all the way
from East Africa, Europe and Central Asia. Winter also brings many Himalayan
birds from higher regions who come to take refuge in Corbett to escape the
extreme conditions in the mountains above. These include many flycatchers,
great barbet and the wallcreeper.
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Gharial and Mugger
Corbett has two of India’s three crocodilian species. It is considered to be one of
the best spots to see the Gharial, one of the largest and most endangered
crcodilians of the world. The still waters of Corbett, especially the Ramganga
reservoir, are home to the Mugger crocodile
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Mahseer and other Fishes
Corbett is home to many species of
freshwater fish. The most celebrated
of the fishes is the Golden Mahseer, a large freshwater river fish belonging to
the carp family.
Other important fish species of Corbett are Goonch , Indian trout and Rohu
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Reptiles

8. Reptiles live in a great variety of habitats. including the King Cobra and Indian
Cobra . Indian Rock Pythons are frequently sighted and there also exist
several kinds of vipers, kraits and boas.
The Bengal Monitor is the most imposing of Corbett’s lizards.
CONSERVATION PROJECTS
Corbett is the site for three nationwide conservation projects aimed at
saving prominent endangered species from extinction and providing a
safe habitat for them. These are:
• Project Tiger
• Crocodile Conservation Project
• Project Elephant
Project Tiger
Objectives
Project Tiger was launched with the following main objectives:
• To ensure maintenance of a viable population of tiger in India for
scientific, economic, aesthetics cultural and ecological values.
• To preserve, for all times, the areas of such biological importance as a
national heritage for the benefit, education and enjoyment of the people.
History
In 1972 the tiger population shrunk to an all-time low of 1,800, which drew the
attention of the Government to take urgent measures to conserve tigers.
After the introduction of the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 1972, a special
conservation programme focussed on tiger protection was mooted. This was
called Project Tiger.

9. Crocodile Conservation Project
The Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in 1976.
The main aim of the project was to save India’s three endangered crocodilian
species, namely the freshwater crocodile, the saltwater crocodile and the gharial.
The Gharial Rehabilitation Project formed a subunit of the umbrella Crocodile
Conservation Project. This focussed on gharial, which had come very close to
extinction in 1974.
As part of the Gharial Rehabilitation Project, more than 250 gharials were
released in the Ramganga river in Corbett National Park between 1982 and 1994.
Project Elephant
Background and History
Project Elephant was launched in 1991-92 to assist states having ranging
populations of wild elephants to ensure long term survival of identified viable
population of elephants in their natural habitats.
Objectives
The main objectives of Project Elephant are:
• Ecological restoration of existing natural habitats and elephant migration
routes;

10. • Development of scientific and planned management for conservation of
elephant habitats and viable population of wild Asiatic elephants in India;
• Strengthening of measures for protection of Wild elephants form poachers
and unnatural causes of death; .
MONITORING AND RESEARCH
Wildlife Population Estimation
Counting wild animals is vital to monitor their population. In Corbett an annual
census is carried to understand trends and determine the success of
management practices on wildlife. Dedicated counting of tigers is done every
fourth year as part of an All India Tiger Census under Project Tiger.
Research
Research plays an important role in the management of Corbett and adds value
to existing scientific knowledge.
Environmental Concerns
Regular tiger deaths matter of concern in
Corbett
Tiger deaths this year:
Date Place
January 25 Kalagarh Range, Corbett Tiger Reserve
January 27 Kosi Range, Ramnagar Forest Division
February 06 Tarai East Division

11. February 19 Jhirna Range, Corbett Tiger Reserve
March 05 Kaladhungi Range, Ramnagar Forest Division
April 01 Kalagarh Range, Corbett Tiger Reserve
April 22 Kaladhungi Range, Ramnagar ForestDivision
May 03 Sarpduli Range, Corbett Tiger Reserve
May 28 Kaladhungi Range, Ramnagar Forest Division
May 31 Kota Range, Ramnagar Forest Division
June 07 Kalagarh Range, Corbett Tiger Reserve
In April, 2008, the National Conservation Tiger Authority (NCTA) expressed serious
concern that protection systems have weakened, and poachers have infiltrated into this
park. A cement road has been built through the park against a Supreme Court order.
The road has become a thoroughfare between Kalagarh and Ramnagar. Constantly
increasing vehicle traffic on this road is affecting the wildlife of crucial ranges like
Jhirna, Kotirau and Dhara.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY NEARBY VILLAGES
The villages surrounding the park are at least 15–20 years old and no new villages
have come up in the recent past.[22] The increasing population growth rate and the
density of population within 1 km to 2 km from the park present a challenge to the
management of the reserve.[22]
DAMAGE CAUSED BY TOURISTS
As early as 1991, the Corbett National Park played host to 3237 tourist vehicles
carrying 45,215 visitors during the main tourist seasons between 15 November and 15
June.[4] This heavy influx of tourists has led to visible stress signs on the natural
ecosystem.[4] Excessive trampling of soil due to tourist pressure has led to reduction in
plant species and has also resulted in reduced soil moisture.[4] The tourists have
increasingly used fuel wood for cooking.[4] This is a cause of concern as this fuel
wood is obtained from the nearby forests, resulting in greater pressure on the forest
ecosystem of the park.[4] Additionally, tourists have also caused problems by making
noise, littering and causing disturbances in general.[19]
NATURAL DAMAGES
THREAT BY WILD FIRE
The greatest enemy of the forest is fire. During
summers the danger of fire is greatest, when the
forest floor is covered with dry leaves that readily
catch fire and burn at the slightest spark. Once a

12. summer fire starts it may quickly develop into an uncontrollable
inferno, burning down forests and killing wildlife.
THREAT BY WEEDS
Exotic weeds cause much damage to the natural ecosystem of the park. In
many areas weeds such as Lantana and Parthenium have invaded and wiped out
native plants that are valuable herbivore food
PEOPLE AFFECTED
ECODEVELOPMENT
Support from neighbouring communities is crucial for protection and long-
term survival of any protected area. 19 villages are situated inside the buffer
zone reserve forest areas of Corbett. An additional two hundred villages are
situated all around the reserve. These villages depend on the forest resources for
fuel-wood, fodder and non-timber forest produce
In such circumstances it is impossible to avoid human-animal conflicts. The forest
department has initiated an Ecodevelopment Programme to involve villagers
in conflict reduction .Ecodevelopment committees consisting of representatives of
both villagers and the forest department are being encouraged to enable
communities to plan and implement programmes for resource conservation and
generate livelihood. In the unfortunate case a human casualty caused by wild
animals ex- adequate compensation is provided for livestock kills and crop
damage by wild elephants.
ECOtourism
Most people consider ecotourism to be synonymous to tourism in natural areas.
But there is more to ecotourism than this.True ecotourism should also sustain the
livelihoods and cultural identities of local communities.
Ecotourism is an important tool for
conservation because it generates
economic benefits for the authorities
managing the protected area as well as
local people who get employment. This
instils a sense of pride in the local people
who now appreciate the value of their
natural and cultural heritage. Ecotourism
also influences visitors by providing an
opportunity for a better, more educative
experience, thus sensitising them towards
conservation.
Photo : Rajiv Bhartari
BIBLIOGRAPHY
(www.jimcorbettnationalpark.com) Wikipedia, http://post.jagran.com/regular-
tiger-deaths-matter-of-concern-in-corbett-1308715772
http://www.corbett-national-park.com/
http://www.corbettnationalpark.in/