It’s a different story that Rudyard Kipling’s cult novel ‘The Jungle Book’ was based on another forest in India, but Jim Corbett National Park is probably the most famous wildlife sanctuary in the country. This may be due to the fact that India’s most ambitious wildlife conservation initiative started from this oldest park in the country. The objective behind this initiative named ‘Project Tiger’ was to protect the critically endangered Bengal tigers living in the region. Named in honor of Jim Corbett, a British hunter and conservationist who emphasized the need to protect India’s wildlife from destruction, Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most sought-after eco-tourism destination in the entire Asian region.
History of Jim Corbett National Park
The park was first established as Hailey National Park in 1936 by protecting the rare bio-diversity setting in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Symbolically speaking, this park represents the amalgamation of two different cultures of Kumaon and Garhwal in Uttarakhand because of its locations at the convergence of both the regions. Blessed with a breath-taking Himalayan topography, Uttarakhand has always been a favorite destination for nature lovers and this particular park has been the focal point of this worldwide acclaim. However, tourism activity is restricted to select areas of Jim Corbett National Park only to ensure a safe and quiet habitat for its residents.
Wildlife at Jim Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett National Park is a wonderful amalgamation of high hills, swamps, river banks and green meadows covering a total area of 522 km in the foothills of the great Himalayas and this makes the park a paradise for wildlife adventure lovers. Everything from rock climbing, rappelling, elephant safaris, fishing and angling to bird watching is available for tourists. But, the best thing about this park is the open jeep safari. A visitor’s dream come true to catch a glimpse of a tiger resting in the moist deciduous forest on a bright winter morning.
Apart from the monsoon season, the park is open throughout the year. But, Corbett is not about tigers. A path lined with mango orchards takes you to a completely different world with a record number of 488 different species of plants and 580 types of birds. Plus over 25 reptile species and 50 species of mammals are reason enough to get personal with this wonderland. The hoarseness of the wildlife echoing throughout the forest represents the music of life that can really take away the stress of a solid life and what better way to dance to the beat of this music than with the green grass. What can be a reserve other than a secluded walk in the plains?
Leaving the occupants for the comfort of the forest, the area outside the park has developed into a ‘resorts paradise’ with innumerable accommodation facilities so that we respect the fine line drawn by God between man and the forest. After all, the laws of the wilderness do not allow wild intrusion.
Suggested Read: National Parks to Experience Breathtaking Jungle Safari in Uttarakhand
