About Corbett National Park

You will visit: About Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India.The park named for the hunter and conservationist Jim Corbett who played a key role in its stablishment was established in 1921 as Hailey National Park. Situated in Nainital district of Uttarakhand the park acts as a protected area for the endangered Bengal tiger of India, the secure survival of which is the main objective of Project Tiger, an Indian wildlife protection initiative.The park has sub-Himalayan belt geographical and ecological characteristics.An ecotourism destination, it contains 488 different species of plants and a diverse variety of fauna. The increase in tourist activities, among other problems, continues to present a serious challenge to the park's ecological balance. Corbett has been a haunt for tourists and wildlife lovers for a long time.

Corbett National Park Glimpse

1 History Of Jim Corbett National Parks

Some areas of the park were formerly part of the princely state of Tehri Garhwal. The forests were cleared to make the area less vulnerable to Rohilla invaders. The Raja of Tehri formally ceded a part of his princely state to the East India Company in return for their assistance in ousting the Gurkhas from his domain. The Boks as a tribe from the Terai settled on the land and began growing crops, but in the early 1860s they were evicted with the advent of British rule. The British forest department established control over the land and prohibited cultivation and the operation of cattle stations.The British administration considered the possibility of creating a game reserve there in 1907 and established a reserve area known as Hailey National Park covering 323.75 km2 (125.00 sq mi) in 1936. The preserve was renamed in 1954-55 as Ramganga National Park and was again renamed in 1955-56 as Corbett National Park. The new name honours the well-known author and wildlife conservationist Jim Corbett, who played a key role in creating the reserve by using his influence to persuade the provincial government to establish it. The reserve does not allow hunting, but does permit timber cutting for domestic purposes. Soon after the establishment of the reserve, rules prohibiting killing and capturing of mammals, reptiles and birds within its boundaries were passed. The park fared well during the 1930s under an elected administration. But during the Second World War, it suffered from excessive poaching and timber cutting. Over time the area in the reserve was increased-797.72 km2 (308.00 sq mi) were added in 1991 as a buffer for the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The 1991 additions included the entire Kalagarh forest division, assimilating the 301.18 km2 (116.29 sq mi) area of Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary as a part of the Kalagarh division. It was chosen in 1974 as the location for launching Project Tiger, an ambitious and well known wildlife conservation project. The reserve is administered from its headquarters in the district of Nainital. Corbett National Park is one of the thirteen protected areas covered by World Wildlife Fund under their Terai Arc Landscape Programme. The programme aims to protect three of the five terrestrial flagship species, the tiger, the Asian elephant and the Great One-horned Rhinoceros, by restoring corridors of forest to link 13 protected areas of Nepal and India to enable wildlife migration.

2 Other Attraction

3 Best Time To Visit

Jim Corbett National Park is completely spread over Nainital, Pauri Garwahl and Almora Districts of Uttarakhand. It is one of the oldest national park in India. The park is known for its initiative Project Tiger, for endangered Bengal tiger of India. The total area of the reserve is 1318.54 sq. km. consisting 520 sq. km. of core area and 797.72 sq. km. of buffer area. After India’s independence in 1947, the park was renamed as Ramganga National Park. But in 1956 it was renamed as Jim Corbett National Park in the memory of Colonel Jim Corbett.

Corbett National Park opens from mid November to mid June. The Jhirna zone of Corbett National Park remains open throughout the year. Birjani zone opens from mid October to mid June and the main core area Dhikala opens from 15th of November. The park closes partially during the period of monsoon. Most of the roads in Birjani and Dhikala are wash away during monsoon. The gates remain close after sunset and no nocturnal driving is allowed.

Main Visiting Season Jim Corbett National Park

Winter (October - February)

It is the best time for Bird watching. Bird lovers are advised to visit during the winter season to get glimpses of varieties of birds. It is also the preferred season for the sighting of tiger. The chances of natural sight of tiger are high during this time of the year. During this season the 5° C. but the day time are pleasant and balmy. The night can get pretty cold. Thus it is the best time to enjoy cold nights. Animals are easily spotted during this period as they come out to laze around in the sun.

Monsoon (July - September)

It is the best time for those who want to avoid crowd. The flow of the crowd declines due to the monsoon season. It is the best for some great experience for trekking lovers. The monsoon prevails from mid June to October. The temperature drops during this time and the weather is sustains a pleasant aura. The rainy season is the mating time of the animals and the park remains closed for tourists keeping that in mind. Also the risks of soil erosion and land slides can prove to be harmful. This is the best time to enjoy flora in Corbett national Park. The place becomes magnificent with greenery and vegetation.

Summer (March to June)

The summer season prevails from the month of March till mid June. The temperature during this time becomes very scorching. The day time can get very hot, up to 40° C mark. The inhabitants and animals suffer the wrath of the rising heat of the sun during this time. This is the best time for sighting of animals. Mostly a hot wind blows throughout the day time during summers. And a thick cloud of dust covers up the region, penetrated by occasional thunderstorms. This season is considered as the best time form river rafting. River rafting enthusiast can opt for this time period to visit.

Different Zone Opening Time

Dhikala zone: 15th November to 15th June

Bijrani zone: 15th October to 30th June

Durgadevi zone: 15th October to 30th June

Jhirna zone: Throughout the year

4 How To Reach Corbett

Corbett has been a haunt for tourists and wildlife lovers for a long time. Tourism is allowed in selected areas of Corbett Tiger Reserve so that people get an opportunity to see its splendid landscape and the diverse wildlife living here. In recent years the number of people coming here has increased dramatically. Presently, every season more than 1,70,000 visitors come to the park from India and abroad.

General Information: Information about weather and topography at Corbett National Park Altitude of Corbett National Park: 1143 meters above sea level Annual rainfall Corbett National Park: 1000-2800 mm. Temperature range Corbett National Park: 4C in winter to 42C during summer.

How to Reach Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett national park is well connected by road and train services from the major cities. One can reach here by train from New-Delhi and at the same time there is regular bus services from Jaipur, Agra, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar apart from - Delhi, Lucknow and other major cities.

Road Travel to Jim Corbett national park: How to reach corbett national park from Delhi by Road - Hapur by pass - Gajraula - Moradabad by-pass - From this point, where Moradabad by-pass terminates, take "U" turn to left towards Moradabad city, travel 2 km, then take right turn - Kashipur - Corbett (Ramnagar) ( 270 KM )

How to reach corbett national park from Chandigarh / Ambala -70- Ponta Sahib -49- Dehradun -46- Rishikesh -25- Haridwar -56- Najibabad -71- Kashipur -30- Corbett ( 347 KM )

How to reach corbett national park from Lucknow- Bareilly-Moradabad -Kashipur - Ramnagar -Corbett(400 KM)

How to reach corbett national park from Nainital - Kaladunghi - Ramnagar - Corbett ( 70 KM )

How to reach corbett national park from Ranikhet - Bhatronjkhan-Machod-Corbett ( 100 KM )

Train to Travel Corbett National Park: The last and nearest railway station for Corbett National park is located 12 kms from Ramnagar, the last railhead for this part of the Kumaon Himalayan foothills. The most convenient rail connection (www.indianrail.gov.in) to jim corbett national park is:
Delhi – Ramnagar: 5013 Ranikhet Express DEP Old Delhi Railway Station 2245 hrs; ARR Ramnagar Railway Station 0500 hrs. Ramnagar – Delhi: 5014 Ranikhet Express DEP Ramnagar Railway Station 2115 hrs; ARR Old Delhi Railway Station 0500 hrs. The II AC compartment of this train is very comfortable.

Corbett National Park from Agra, your options are, How to reach corbett national park from Agra : Mathura – Lal Kuan: 5311 Kumaon Express DEP Mathura Junction Railway Station 2315 hrs; ARR Lal Kuan Railway Station 0845 hrs. Lal Kuan – Mathura: 5312 Kumaon Express DEP Lal Kuan Railway Station 1900 hrs; ARR DEP Mathura Junction Railway Station 0425 hrs. Mathura is 58 kms from Agra. Lal Kuan is 75 kms from Camp. Both trains mentioned above operate on all days of the week. Station transfers from Ramnagar Railway Station or Lal Kuan Railway Station to Corbett Park and vice versa can be arranged on request. What to wear in Corbett National Park -Clothing: The clothes you should carry with you to Corbett Park are totally opposite depending on the season in which you are visiting it. The summers are blisteringly hot and don't expect any let up while you are there. You should expect unrelenting heat day after day if you are there between the months of April and June. With temperatures soaring between 30 and 39 degrees centigrade most of the day, even the lightest of T-shirts feel like warm jackets. Take along your lightest clothes in the summers with the definite inclusion of a cap and dark glasses. In the winter months, specially November to beginning February, the weather is just the opposite.

Morning drives into the park are freezing cold and how many ever layers you wear sometimes feel insufficient. The days however are extremely pleasant and a light sweatshirt can more than suffice. Evenings and night once again get very chilly. Carrying along a pair of gloves and a muffler is advisable. For those who intend to take photographs in the wee hours of the morning without pressing all the wrong buttons on their cameras, take along a pair of gloves that are thin yet warm and provide for sufficient movement of the hands.

* Wear clothes in shades of brown and green, as they are less disturbing to the environment
* Avoid wearing perfumes and do not smoke in restricted areas.
* Comfortable walking shoes are appropriate than the fashionable ones
* For winter travel heavy woolens are a must especially for open jeep safaris. Cottons are apt for summer months

Tips for Travelers

Follow the rules, for e.g.,

Do not walk around if you are not permitted to do so
Wear clothes in shades of brown and green as they are less disturbing to the environment
Avoid wearing perfumes and do not smoke in restricted areas.
Animals are extremely weary of the human voice. Don’t make noise, don’t play music and please don’t honk car horn.
Carry Personal medication and insect repellent.
Carry Binoculars, Cameras, film rolls and Flashlight along with books and other reading material.
Don’t leave behind any litter and plastic bags are big hazards for animals.
Comfortable walking shoes are appropriate than the fashionable ones.
For winter travel heavy woolens are a must especially for open jeep safaris. Cottons are apt for summer months, rain Gear is essential for the monsoons.
Find about the habits of the animal you want to see to avoid disappointment.

Ready to book? Want to talk to a specialist?

Book now

Talk to a specialist

About Corbett National Park