Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest national park in India which was established in 1936 as “Hanley National Park” to protect the Bengal tiger. The most special thing about Jim Corbett National Park is that the critically endangered species of Royal Bengal Tiger is found in it. Jim Corbett National Park is located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand at the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains and on the banks of the Ramganga River.
About 50 species of trees, 580 bird species and 50 species of animals and 25 species of reptiles are found in this park, which is spread over an area of more than 500 square meters. The area of this National Park consists of belts, hills, marshy depressions, lakes, rivers and grasslands.
If you are going to visit this park, then let us tell you that the visit to this park is incomplete without a safari in the forests here, so definitely enjoy the safari when you go to Jim Corbett National Park. Let us take you on a tour of Jim Corbett National Park.
History of Jim Corbett National Park
Famous wildlife conservationist and author Jim Corbett assisted the British government in establishing this area during the 1930s. Subsequently, in the year 1936, a wildlife reserve named Hailey National Park was established covering an area of about 300 square km of this region.
In 1955–1956, the name of the reserve was changed to Jim Corbett National Park. This park was named Jim Corbett National Park as a tribute to Jim Corbett and his contribution to the conservation of wildlife as he played an important role in the establishment of this park.
In the year 1974, Jim Corbett National Park was selected by a prestigious wildlife conservation campaign to launch Project Tiger. In 1991 the entire area of Sonandi Wildlife Sanctuary under its Kalagarh Forest Division was added to its immediate limits.
Main Zones of Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park is divided into some areas, about which we are going to tell you.
1. Bijrani zone
Bijrani zone is about 1 kilometer away from Ramnagar. In this zone, you can visit the lush green forests and give a different peace to your mind. This zone is one of the beautiful places of Jim Corbett National Park.
2. Jhirna Safari Zone
Jhirna Safari Zone is located at a distance of 16 km from Ramnagar. This buffer zone has been created in a new way between all the other areas. This zone is well connected with the city limits, making this place easily accessible by buses, taxis and other modes of communication. The surprising thing about Jhirna Safari Zone in Jim Corbett National Park is that this place is also known for seeing bears.
3. Dhikala Zone
The Dhela Safari Zone of the Jim Corbett National Park is the only area completely open to tourists. The lush green forests and rich biodiversity of this place attract a lot of tourists. Every tourist coming to this place becomes happy after coming here. Dhela Safari Zone is about 13 km from Ram Nagar.
4. Durga Devi Zone
Durga Devi Zone is situated at a distance of 36 km from Ramnagar. This zone is famous for watching birds found exclusively in Jim Corbett National Park.
Flora found in Jim Corbett National Park
According to the Botanical Survey of India, a staggering 600 species of trees are found in the vast area of about 521 sq km of Jim Corbett National Park. Which include the names of grasses, climbers, bamboos, shrubs, ferns. The reserve park is very rich in diverse flora, including both freshwater vegetation and alpine vegetation. Sal forest is found in abundance in this park which covers more than 75% of this reserve area. The most prominent species of trees include Sal, Khair and Sisso.
Animals found in Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park has always been a very favorable place for animals to live. The national park is home to many endangered animals and critically endangered species, especially the Asian elephant and crocodile. Jim Corbett Safari is very special to attract the tourists coming here throughout the year. The main attraction in this safari drive is the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger. Other species found here like Asian black bear, walking deer, hog deer, sambar, sloth are also very special. Jim Corbett National Park is a bird lover’s paradise as it is home to 600 species of birds including the great pied hornbill, white-backed vulture. Peacock, Hodgson’s bushchat, orange-breasted green pigeon, sea eagle, golden oriole, fish owl, etc. Endangered reptiles like Mugger crocodile, and King cobra are also found in Jim Corbett National Park.
Jungle Safari in Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park covers a vast area of ecologically rich and diverse foothills of the Himalayas. The park is part of the vast and all-inclusive Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve. Traveling on safari in Jim Corbett National Park can prove to be very memorable for the tourists, because the sub-tropical and deciduous forests along with the resident animals, birds and reptiles and many small rivers make this place very special and attractive. Due to which you will not feel any hesitation in spending some money on safari here. In Jim Corbett National Park, you can do three types of safaris to see the flora and fauna found here such as Canter Safari, Jeep Safari and Elephant Safari. If the tourists coming here want to enjoy their trip to the fullest then it is very important for them to travel on safari.
Let us tell you that there are five safari zones in Corbett National Park: Bijrani Zone, Jhirna Zone, Durgadevi Zone, Dhela Zone and Dhikala Zone. Apart from this, the Corbett Tiger Reserve also contains the Sonnadi Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as the Sitavani Zone, although this place is outside the Corbett National Park. If you want to see the exquisite species of animals like Royal Bengal Tiger, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Sambar Deer, Jackal, Himalayan Bear, Elephant, Hog Deer, Sloth, then do not miss the jungle safari of Jim Corbett National Park.
Best time to visit Jim Corbett National Park
If you are thinking of visiting Jim Corbett National Park, then let us tell you that you can visit this park throughout the year but the best time to visit it is between November and February. You will be able to see more animals here as all the areas are open during the winter season. It doesn’t get too hot here, so summer is a good time to see most of the animals near water bodies. Monsoon (June- August) season is not good to visit as the park remains closed most of the time during these months.
How to reach Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park, the oldest national park in India, is a major wildlife destination for wildlife watchers as well as tourists and nature lovers from all over the world. The park is located in Ramnagar, a city in the state of Uttarakhand, India, about 260 km from New Delhi. Due to its proximity to the national capital city of India, the park is easily accessible via railways and road. Here, you will get detailed information on how to reach Corbett National Park.
1. How to reach Jim Corbett National Park by flight
Airplane is not an ideal mode of transportation to reach Jim Corbett National Park. But if you are coming from a distant city of the country, then Patnagar Airport is the nearest domestic airport, which is about 50 kilometers from here. You can hire a taxi or cab from this airport. The nearest international airport near Corbett National Park is IGI Airport in Delhi which is about 235 kilometers away. Which is well connected to various cities around the world.
2. How to reach Jim Corbett National Park by train
The nearest railway station from Corbett is Ramnagar which is about 12 km from the park, which is connected by rail to big cities like Delhi Haridwar, Lucknow and Varanasi. Let us tell you that there is only one train from Delhi to Ramnagar and it stops at many stations on the way. So a good option is that first you take a train to Moradabad and then from there you can take a taxi or bus to reach Ramnagar which will take you about 1 hour to reach Ramnagar.
3. How to reach Jim Corbett National Park by road
Corbett National Park is well connected by buses to Ramnagar. You will get regular buses to Ramnagar from major cities of the country like Delhi, Haridwar and Nainital.
Road route from Delhi to Corbett is the best option as road travel has its own fun, especially in pleasant weather. Delhi to Corbett road distance is approximately 245 km and 6 hours drive. You can either travel in your personal vehicle or take car/passenger bus service which is easily available from Delhi to Jim Corbett National Park.
