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Jim Corbett National Park - land of the Roar, Trumpet and 50ng
Home of the roaring tiger, trumpeting elephant and the warbling birds, the park has earned the name "Land of Roar, Trumpet and Song". Locale of Jim Corbett's books, and F.W. Champion's famous photographs of the tiger, taken in the nineteen twenties, nature has also been lavish with its gifts of wildlife.

Presenting a scene of remarkable beauty, nestling in the foot-hills of Uttaranchal, is the Patlidun, a broad flat valley, where the bubbling, rushing water of the river Ramganga meander through the hills and dales. Here Nature has spared no efforts against the green and coppery foliage of the forest of Sal, she has spread a carpet of the glowing red flowers of the Flame of the Forest, the delicate drapery of ferns and creepers and the waving tiger grass producing an unforgettable scene of grandeur, while the colourful birds, lost in ethereal song, add to the enchantment. Although the Sal timber is felled and extracted in certain parts, the natural beauty of the area has remained unimpaired, particularly beautiful, when the flowering trees are in bloom. It was not always so.

Flavorite of Hunters
Dhikala got its name, probably from the words 'clump of earth', and Boxar from the Boxas that inhabits the place. The Patlidun became a favourite hunting spot. Tigers, in large numbers, roamed the foot-paths, roads and dry river beds during all hours of the day in the South Patlidun. Wild game hunters came on 'safaris' from all parts of the world to go tiger hunting. One such was Jim Corbett, born in the Kumaon Hills, of British parents who had made a home in India. His father was the postmaster at Nainital, and unfortunately, died when Jim was just a child. Always engrossed in animals, as a boy, he would go with the 'shikaris' to show them the area but soon, himself, mastered the gun. He became an avid hunter, but inherent in him was a deep love for all animals, including tigers. After High School, he did not go on to university, but immersed himself in the study of fauna

Sir Johns Hewett, Lt. Governor of United Provinces, at the suggestion of James Corbett, decided to establish a wildlife park. On 8th August, 1936, the park opened under the name Hailey National Park, after the Governor of the United Provinces, now Uttar Pradesh (UP.) - Sir Malcom Hailey. Later it was changed to the Ramganga National Park in 1952. In 1957, it was finally re-named as Corbett National Park in honour and memory of the late Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter, naturalist-turned author and photographer who had helped in setting up the park and demarcating its boundaries. Jim Corbett had in the meantime, became world-famous through his book "Man Eaters of Kumaon". His name became a byword for anyone interested in hunting and wildlife. Corbett and with his dedication to the study of the fauna of the Kumaon foothills, became a foremost, prominent protagonist of wildlife, whose, he pleaded in his books.

Sprawling in an area of 525 sq kilometres the Park initially covered 323.75 sq km but is was felt, the area was too small for species like the tiger and the elephant which at times moved into adjoining shooting blocks, which had suitable habitats, so they, too, were included. There are now no shooting blocks. The only shooting allowed is with a camera.

The elevation of the park ranges between 400 metres and 1,210 m. The multipurpose hydel dam at Kalagarh lies at the southwestern fringe of Corbett. The lake inside, with its scenic charm, has added to the beauty of the park. Many species of water birds, both migrant and non-migrant, frequent its waters. Crocodiles and the long snouted fish-eating gharial have found new homes here and their numbers have increased. They can often be seen sun basking on the sand banks. For anglers too, the lake is a paradise. Fish, such as the mahseer, abound in the lake and river.

The park offers different kinds of vegetation all along its varied topography which comprises hilly and riparian areas, temporary marshy depressions, plateaus and ravines.
110 species of trees, 51 species of shrubs and over 33 species of bamboo are found here. Over 50 mammal, 580 bird and 25 reptile species have been listed in the Corbett. Also astounding is the insect life here. Corbett is a known haven for tigers, largely owing to the success of WWF funded project-tiger that was launched on 1 st April 1973. Other animals which add to its attraction are: Leopard, leopard cat, jungle cat, fishing cat, himalayan black bear, dhole, yellow-throated morten, elephant, porcupine, chital, barking deer etc. Some of the birds commonly seen here are 'osprey, crested serpent eagle, blackwinged kite, shikra, Pallas's fishing eagle, spotted eagle, minivets, shrikes, babblers etc.

The Gharials, descendants of the prehistoric reptiles, have made the park their home. The Indian python, viper, cobra, krait and king cobra, the largest of the poisonous snakes, also inhabit Corbett, as do monitors and other lesser lizards.

The Tiger Menace
The tigers in Kumaon became a menace, lifting cattle and the poor villagers recklessly. Jim Went out to exterminate, not tigers, but man-earters and marauders. He saved many a life at the risk of his own, and eventually cleared the are of dangerous beasts.

The Rites of Spring
In spring-time, the Entire area presents a beautiful panorama-the sprouting 'sheesham' leaves, the gorgeous scarlet flowers of semal the mauve blooms of kachnar mingle into a psychedelic riot of colour, reflected in the sparkling waters of the Ramganga, and few places can equal this shimmering scene of Nature 'out to conquer' while the myriad varieties of exotic birds in their colourful spring plumage, help by adding their charm and filling the air with melodious song.

Fauna of the Park
Here are found wild elephants, leopards, hyenas, jackals and wild dogs. There are also some magnificent hog deer, barking deer, sambhar, chital and bears, both sloth and Himalayan. There is an occasional serow and some gural, mongooses, palm squirrel, flying squirrel, ratel, wild cat, antelopes, deer, wild boar, otter and porcupine.
There are eight watch towers in the park and elephants are available in Dhikala and Bijrani to view the wonders from November to June.

The Glories of the Ramganga
Coming from the high mountains, the sparkling, rushing waters emerge through the hills below Sankar and enter the glories of the park. On either bed of the river is nature-given landscape, magnificent and voluptuous. In the crystal clear waters of the river, that is not snow fed, and affected by the melting of snows, some big fish can be seen in the many pools. The river passes through the heart of the park and debouches into the plains at Kalagarh. Popular with anglers, it is stocked with the mighty Mahseer, Indian Trout and Goonch. The angler can see, many of the wildlife along the river; Mandai Jn., Gairal, Sarapduli, Dhikala and Boxar are the favoured resorts.

Fishing in Ramganga
The rapids make the spoon, spinner and plugs invaluable, but the big monasters in the pools can be lured by live bait. Fishermen use the monofilament line of at least 15-20 pound strength, with a spool capable of holding at least 200 metres of line. The Mahseer is a good fighter, and the first rush is a tremendous strain on the line for at least the first 50 metres. A fishing permit is necessary, it can be obtained at Dhikala. The shallows and back waters are full of small fish.

Road to the Park
After crossing the Ganges by the Garhmukteshwar bridge, and passing through Moradabad, the road leads to the Ramganga bridge and proceeds north to Ramnagar via Kashipur. Just 19 km away is the entrance to the Park. From there the road goes on up to Ranikhet.

The Park is open from November, though the roads are motorable from December 15. From November to January the visibility is poor, due to the dense undergrowth, the weather is cold and only the tigers and crocodiles are to be seen, towards the end of January the visibility starts improving and the Carnivora and deer, along with the crocodile can be seen. From March to June all the wildlife, come out of hibernation or their lairs, to welcome the viewer. The weather is very pleasant and visibility is excellent. In May and June the day begin to warm up but the night remains pleasant. The park is closed from June to October 31. The main road to Dhikala from the entrance of the Park is generally ready by the end of October.

Killing, injuring, capturing, or even disturbing any animal, bird or reptile, and taking, or disturbing any eggs is strictly prohibited. Causing damage by fire, or otherwise, including any animal, domestic or wild and removing any animal, live or dead, is also forbidden. No product