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JIM CORBETT PARK
Wildlife King Size
 Death
rules supreme in the woods. Thick cover of sal trees,
unabated growth of lantana bushes, and dense long grass -
nowhere does life sit as precariously as it does here. There
are patches, which even daylight cannot penetrate, the
vision is minimal, and one has to rely on instincts alone.
One slip of toe, single faulty step, or one bad judgment can
send you reeling into the jaws of death. Even predators can
become the prey. But, is there no possibility for the man to
watch these mysteries of wildlife unfold, from a
self-inflicted periphery. Mercifully, there is…
Welcome to the wild stretches of Jim Corbett National Park,
the first wildlife reserve of India, extending over an area
of more than 500 sq km in the Himalayan foothills. Thanks to
trained guides and State tourism department, you need not be
too adventurous to stay in the middle of jungle - now strewn
with tourist lodges - and witness the wildlife in
jeep/elephant safari.
And a brief stay here should remain a fond memory for the
years to come. For, to spot a leopard perched licking his
paws atop a tree; to watch a regiment of pachyderms
frolicking in muddy water; or to even hear a tiger growl
late in the night, indeed make a gripping bedtime story for
your grandchildren.
The tourist season begins in November every year and closes
in June. The first two-three months are ideal for bird
watching. During this season, one can spot over 500 species
of winged creatures here; prominent among them being greylag,
barheaded goose, grepe, snipe, sandpiper, gull, great pied
hornbills, warblers, finches, and various wagtails. Besides
these, the birdlife here includes parakeets, flycatchers,
babblers, cuckoos, robins, and bulbuls.
How to get there and accommodation
 Corbett
National Park is located in Nainital district of Uttaranchal.
The park is about 250 km from New Delhi. The nearest
railhead is Ramnagar, about 20 km from the park. The sleepy
town of Ramnagar is now home to a host of local tour
operators, organizing quick safaris in the park. Cheap
accommodation is therefore no problem for budget travelers.
For the luxury oriented, there are up market cottages inside
and at the periphery of the national park.
The best places to stay within the park are at Khinnauli,
Sarapduli, Bijrani, and Ghairal.
Dhikala being the most popular is rather crowded with
tourists during season. It is advisable to stay in Gairal,
which is quiet and offers better sightings. Ramnagar, the
headquarters of Project Tiger, is also a good place to stay,
provided you have prior permission from the field director.
Jeeps can be hired from here for safaris into the park, and
accommodation is better than at Dhikala and Gairal.
Elephant safaris can be arranged in Dhikala and Bijrani. The
charges for two hours is upward 120 for foreigners and Rs 20
for Indians. Jeep safaris are available from outside the
park as well as from Dhikala. Prices are upward Rs 600 (plus
petrol) for full day. For further inquiries, one can contact
the Field Director, Corbett National Park, Post Office
Ramnagar, District Nainital, Uttaranchal.
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