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Jim Corbett National Park

Jim Corbett National Park is the oldest and first national park in India which was established in the year 1936. Apart from being India’s first national park, this park is also India’s first tiger reserve. At the time of the establishment of this national park, its name was Hailey National Park which was later changed to Ramganga National Park in the year 1954-55.

But in just one year in the year 1955-56, this national park was again renamed as Jim Corbett National Park after the famous nature lover and photographer Jim Corbett at that time. Jim Corbett National Park, located in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, is spread over an area of 520 square kilometres.

The forest area of this national park includes mountains, rivers, swamps, vast grasslands and a large lake. The height of the mountains located here ranges from 400 meters to 1200 meters. Apart from wildlife, botanical diversity is also seen in this national park.

In this garden, you can easily see trees like Mango, Haldu, Sal, Peepal and Rohini. 73% of the Jim Corbett National Park is covered with dense forests, 10% of it consists of vast grasslands, and the rest is covered with rivers and marsh. It is estimated that 50 species of mammals, 110 species of trees, 25 species of reptiles and 580 species of birds are found in this national park.

The wildlife and botanical diversity of Jim Corbett National Park make it the most famous wildlife sanctuary in India. Due to which lakhs of domestic and foreign tourists come here every year to see this national park.

But due to the increase in tourism-related activities, maintaining the ecological balance in the wildlife living in this park remains a serious challenge among the employees and officers associated with the forest department.

History of Jim Corbett National Park

Before becoming a park, some part of Jim Corbett National Park used to be part of the then Tehri Garhwal princely state. At that time the forests of this area were cleared to protect them from the invasion of Rohilla Rajput kings.

In the 19th century, the then Raja of Tehri handed over some part of his princely state, which included this forest area, to the British so that the British could help them to drive the Gorkhas out of this area. Around the same time, the people of the Baksha tribe also started growing crops in this forest area.

But in 1860, when the Raja of Tehri made a treaty with the British, he expelled the people of the Baksha tribe from this area. The task of saving the forests of this area was started in the 19th century by a British officer, Major Ramsay. In 1868, this forest area was taken under its control by the British Forest Department and there was a complete ban on farming and animal husbandry.

In 1879 this area was declared a reserve forest and the felling of trees here was also banned. In the early 1900s, British officer E.R. Stevens and E.A. Smythes, along with some other British officials, together submitted a suggestion to make this place a national park. Apart from this, in 1907, some British officials had also suggested the creation of a game reserve at this place.

By 1930, the work of demarcation of this forest area was started. After this, in the year 1936, an area of about 324 square kilometres of this forest area was demarcated and it was named Hailey National Park. This national park was named after Sir Malcolm Haley, the then Governor of the United Provinces of the region.

Thus the Hailey National Park, the first national park in Asia came into existence in the year 1936. After it was declared a national park, commercial timber harvesting was banned in this forest. At that time only wood could be cut for domestic use only with permission.

Apart from this, a complete ban was also imposed on the capture and killing of wildlife, reptiles and birds living in this reserve. After being declared a national park, there was no felling of trees in any way for many years, but after the start of the Second World War, illegal felling of trees in this forest area was done and wildlife was hunted.

After the independence of India, the name of this national park was changed to Ramganga National Park in the year 1954-55 but after a gap of one year in the year 1955-56 this national park was again renamed as Jim Corbett National Park. . Jim Corbett was a famous nature lover and photographer of that time.

In the year 1974, this national park was selected as the starting point of Project Tiger Wildlife Conservation Project. In the year 1991, the reserve area of Jim Corbett National Park was extended. In the year 1991, an area of about 798 square kilometres was added as a buffer zone to the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Apart from this, the 302 square kilometre forest area of Sitabani Wildlife Sanctuary was also included in Jim Corbett as a part of the Kalagarh division in the year 1991. Corbett National Park is one of the thirteen protected forest areas covered under the Terai Arc Landscape Program of the World Wide Fund for Nature.

The main objective of this program is to protect the tiger, one-horned rhinoceros and the Asian elephant, three of the five major wildlife, by connecting 13 protected forest areas in Nepal and India.

Geography of Jim Corbett National Park

The elevation of Jim Corbett National Park ranges from 360 m (1181 ft) to 1040 m (3412 ft) above sea level. This is because in some places in this park you get to see many valleys with slopes and apart from this, there are flat plains in many places. In the rest of the area, there are many small and large plateaus, whose height goes up to 1000 meters.

Due to the Ramganga river flowing in this park, a valley has also been formed which is known as Patil Doon Ghati. Jim Corbett National Park is spread over a total area of 1318.54 square kilometres, out of which a total area of 520 square kilometres comes in the core zone of this park, and an area of 797.72 square kilometres comes in the buffer zone, also known as Sitabani Wildlife Sanctuary.

Jim Corbett National Park Weather

Jim Corbett National Park Weather in Summer

March to June month – Max: approx 40℃ / Min: approx 30℃

Jim Corbett National Park in weather in Monsoon

From July to September month – Max: approx 30℃ / Min: approx 20℃

(Jim Corbett National Park is closed for tourists during the monsoon season, but if you want to see this park during the monsoon season, then you can enjoy the wildlife safari here from the Jhirna and Dhela (Zone) gate of this national park.)

Jim Corbett National Park Weather in Winter

October to February month – max: approx 25℃ / min: approx 5℃ and less

Jim Corbett National Park Flora

Spread over a total of 520 square kilometres, Jim Corbett National is extremely rich. Both freshwater growing vegetation and alpine vegetation are found in this park. Many different species of trees and flowers are seen in this wildlife sanctuary. In Corbett National Park, you get to see Sal tree forests, Khair-Siso forests, mountains and rivers of Shivalik ranges of Himalayas.

And all this together makes this national vegetation dense and prosperous. According to an estimate, more than 600 species of trees and flowers are found in Jim Corbett National Park. Because of this, apart from wildlife lovers, this national park attracts nature lovers.

You will be surprised to know that this national park is one of the protected places in the world where Sal forests have a monopoly. Sal forest is visible on 75% of Jim Corbett National Park. Sal, Khair, Bamboo and Sissu trees are mainly seen in this park. Apart from this, chir pine is the only coniferous tree found in this park.

Among the flowering species, you can see mainly Kachnar, Semal, Amaltas, Tectona Grandis, Silver Robusta, Eucalyptus, Mimocefolia and Jacaranda Bottlebrush Oak etc. In Corbett National Park, you also get to see shrubs, in which you can find many species of plum to see here. Apart from this, you also get to see different types of shrubs like Maror pods and tamarisk here.

Jim Corbett National Park Fauna

Jim Corbett National Park was established mainly for the conservation of wildlife. Later on, it was also made a Tiger Reserve. But at present, this national park is home to more than 586 species of wildlife and birds. The main birds found here are Crested Serpent Eagle, Red Junglefowl and Blossom-headed Parakeet.

Apart from this 33 species of reptiles, 07 species of fishes, 07 of amphibians and 36 species of dragonflies are also found. Now let’s talk about Bengal Tiger living here, Jim Corbett National Park has a total of 231 tigers, which is considered to be the most of any tiger reserve located in the whole of India.

The reason for this is the dense forests, the availability of abundant prey and the Ramganga river. Apart from this, the administration of the park should also be given credit for this. Apart from tigers, you will find elephants, leopards, wild cats, fish cats, panther cats, small cats, barking deer, hog deer, sloth bears, Himalayan black bears, sambar deer, Indian grey mongoose, yellow-throated martens, among others in this national park.

Indian Pangolin, Langur, Otter, Himalayan Goral, Rhesus Macaque etc. can be easily seen. If you are lucky in the summer season, then you can also see a herd of several hundred elephants together. Apart from this, the Indian python can also be seen here. You can also see crocodiles and alligators resting on the banks of the Ramganga river.

Jim Corbett National Park Eco-Tourism

By the way, Jim Corbett National Park is more famous for the herds of tigers and elephants. And most tourists come here only to see the wildlife. But in recent years, eco-tourism has also received a boost in Jim Corbett National Park. Jim Corbett is considered a paradise for nature lovers.

For some time now, the dense vegetation and diversity of Corbett National Park have attracted the attention of nature lovers, due to which eco-tourism has increased very fast in this park. But the increasing number of tourists and their indifference towards nature is causing a lot of damage to the ecosystem of this national park.

The local administration is trying its level best to maintain the ecosystem of the park right. But along with being a tourist, it is also our responsibility that when we come here to visit, we should not spread any kind of garbage in this park and take full care of cleanliness. (especially if you do not take plastic packaging items to this park, it is good)

Jim Corbett National Park Safari Zones

Jim Corbett National Park is spread over a total of 520 square kilometres, which is also considered as the core area of this national park. Apart from this, the buffer area of this national park is spread over an area of about 798 square kilometres. Most of the tourists come to visit the core area of this national park.

The core zone of Jim Corbett National Park is divided into five parts and there is also a buffer zone. You can also say that 05 entrances have been made to enter this national park, in which you can enter from different places.

The five zones formed in Jim Corbett National Park are known as Dhikala Zone, Bijrani Zone, Jhirna Zone, Dhela Zone and Durga Devi Zone. All these zones are considered part of the core zone of this national park. Apart from this, the Sitabani forest area is considered to be the buffer zone of this national park.

Dhikala Zone

Entrance Gate – Dhangadi Gate

Distance from Ramnagar – 32 km

Safari Timings – 07:00 am to 10:00 am and 02:00 pm to 05:30 pm (times are subject to change)

Safari Open Period – 15 November to 15 June

Safari Type – Canter Safari (No Jeep Safari)

Canter Safari – 2 canters allowed at a time (1 canter has a total capacity of 16 seats)

Forest Rest House – Sarpaduli Forest Rest House, Gairal Forest Rest House, Sultan Forest Rest House, 32 Dhikala Forest Rest House

Dhikala Zone of Jim Corbett National Park is one of the most visited areas of this park. Apart from doing a safari in this zone during the day, you can also stay here at night in the forest rest house built by the Forest Department. Located near Patil Doon Valley, this zone is also the largest zone of this national park.

Apart from this, wildlife and botanical diversity are also most visible in this zone. Apart from the largest grassland known as Chaur in the Dhikala zone, it includes a dense forest of Sal trees and many types of channels of the Ramganga river, due to which you get to see very beautiful natural scenery here.

Tigers are also most likely to be sighted in this part of the park. Apart from tigers, wild elephants, wild boars, spotted deer, hog deer, and barking deer are prominently seen in this zone. In this zone, there is a high probability that you will see a tiger roaming in the open grassland here. Apart from wildlife, you can also see different species of birds here.

In the Dhikala zone of Jim Corbett National Park, only canter safaris are conducted. Canter Safari is an open bus in which 16 tourists can enjoy the safari at a time. Two such canters are allowed to enter the Dhikala zone at a time.

If you want to do a canter safari here, then you can book a seat for yourself at the entrance of the Dhikala zone. Nature lovers and wildlife lovers can spend the night at the forest rest house built in the park.

Bijrani Zone

Entrance Gate – Amdanda Gate

Distance from Ramnagar – 2 km

Safari Timings – 06:00 AM to 09:30 AM and 03:00 PM to 06:30 PM (time is subject to change)

Safari Open Period – 15 October to 30 June

Safari Type – Jeep Safari

Jeep Safari – 30 Jeeps at a Time

Forest Rest House – Bijrani Forest Rest House, Mailani Forest Rest House

Like Dhikala Zone, the Bijrani Zone of Jim Corbett National Park is also very famous among tourists. After the Dhikala zone, most tourists come to see this wildlife sanctuary in this zone. Apart from the natural scenes in this zone, the chances of seeing the Bengal Tiger are very high.

Apart from the attractive natural scenery, this zone is also known for its serene environment. Due to the natural diversity and many species of wildlife, the Bijrani zone holds its own identity. Grasslands and dense forests of Sal trees and rivers make this zone as attractive as the Dhikala zone.

Apart from other wildlife, you are likely to see tigers. Because of this, it is considered one of the best zones of this park in terms of tiger sightings. The facility of doing jeep safaris is available for tourists in the Bijrani zone. If you want, you can also book a jeep safari for the Bijrani zone online.

Tourists can also enjoy elephant safari in the Bijrani zone. You have to pay the prescribed fee for an elephant safari. Tourists can enjoy jeep safaris in this zone. Only 30 jeep safaris are allowed to enter the park at a time.

In a jeep safari, 06 adults and 02 children except the guide and naturist can do the safari. For jeep safaris, it is mandatory to have a guide with the tourists, otherwise, safaris are not allowed in the park.

Jhirna Zone

Entrance Gate – Dhela Gate

Distance from Ramnagar – 15 km

Safari Timings – 06:00 AM to 09:30 AM and 03:00 PM to 06:30 PM (time is subject to change)

Safari Open Period – Whole Year (Depending on Weather Conditions)

Safari Type – Jeep Safari

Jeep Safari – 30 Jeeps at a Time

Forest Rest House – Jhirna Forest Rest House, Dhela Forest Rest House

Jhirna Zone is located in the southern part of Jim Corbett National Park. The Jhirna zone was included in the core area of the Tiger Reserve in the year 1994. But within a few years, this part of the park became very famous among tourists. The main reason for this is that this part of this national park is open for tourists throughout the year.

Second, tigers have been seen by tourists many times in this zone too. Apart from tigers, there is a strong possibility of seeing wild bears, wild elephants, deer and sambar in this zone. Apart from wildlife, you also get to see a large number of species of birds here. Tourists can enjoy jeep safaris in this zone.

Only 30 jeep safaris are allowed to enter the park at a time. In a jeep safari, 06 adults and 02 children except the guide and naturist can do the safari. For jeep safaris, it is mandatory to have a guide with the tourists, otherwise, safaris are not allowed in the park. If you want, you can also book a jeep safari for the Jhirna zone online.

Dhela Zone

Entrance Gate – Dhela Gate

Distance from Ramnagar – 15 km

Safari Timings – 06:30 AM to 10:30 AM and 01:30 PM to 05:30 PM (time is subject to change)

Safari Open Time – All year round (subject to weather conditions)

Safari Type- Jeep Safari

Jeep Safari – 15 Jeeps in a Shift

Forest Rest House – No forest rest house in this area

Dhela Zone has been linked to Jim Corbett National Park just a few years back. In the year 2014, Dhela Zone has been added for the tourists carrying Jim Corbett mangoes. Apart from Jhirna Zone, Dhela Zone in Jim Corbett National Park is also an area that is open for general tourists throughout the year.

In this part of Jim Corbett National Park, you get to see a mixture of different types of vegetation, mainly the dense forests of trees like Haldu, Rohini, Sal, Kusum and Behera and vast grasslands and many water bodies etc. See you. Apart from various species of tigers, wild elephants, leopards, deer, bears, nilgai and reptiles, many species of birds are also seen in this zone.

This zone of Jim Corbett is especially considered to be the best area for bird watching. Safari facility is also available in the Dhela zone. In this zone, in addition to the safari permit, you will also have to carry a jeep and guide. Without these two you will not be allowed to enter this park.

Durga Devi Zone

Entrance Gate – Durga Devi Gate

Distance from Ramnagar – 28 kms

Safari Timings – 06:00 AM to 09:30 AM and 03:00 PM to 06:30 PM (time is subject to change)

Safari Open Time – 15 November to 15 June

Safari Type – Jeep Safari

Jeep – 11 jeeps in one shift

Forest Rest House – Lohachaur Forest Rest House

Apart from the mountainous views of the Himalayas, the natural scenery of this zone of Jim Corbett National Park is very beautiful. For this reason, this part of the park is especially liked by nature-lovers. Durga Devi Zone is located in the northern part of this park.

Apart from the natural landscape, a part of the park is also very rich in terms of wildlife and botanical wealth. The Ramganga river and the Mandal river flowing in this part of the park make this place even more beautiful. Apart from tigers, leopards, wild elephants, you can also see otters in the part of the forest.

You can see more wildlife at this place around Domunda Bridge. You can see the Mahseer fish prominently in the Ramganga and Mandal rivers flowing here. Durga Devi Zone is no less than a paradise for bird watchers. The major species of birds found here include grey blue flycatcher, maroon oriole, grey-headed fishing eagle, bar-tailed treecreeper, long-tailed broadbill, and black-headed yuhina, and many other species of birds. can be seen at this location.

Jeep safari can also go in this part of the park, for which you have to follow the prescribed rules.

Sitabani Forest Area (Buffer Zone)

Entrance Gate – Near Teda Village (private vehicle allowed)

Distance from Ramnagar – 4 km

Safari Timings – 06:00 AM to 09:30 AM and 03:00 PM to 06:30 PM (time is subject to change)

Exit Gate – Paulgarh Gate

Safari Open Time – Throughout the Year

Safari Type- Day Jeep Safari, Day Elephant Safari

Jeep Safari – Unlimited

Forest Rest Houses – Some hotels and resorts are privately run

Apart from the 05 core zones of Jim Corbett, there is also a buffer zone that is open for tourists throughout the year. The name of the buffer zone of this national park is the Sitabani forest area. In the buffer zone of the park, you get to see many ancient temples besides dense forests, natural scenery, rivers.

In this part of the park, you can easily see animals like deer, sambar, elephant and nilgai. Being a buffer zone, you are very less likely to see predatory animals like tigers and leopards here. But on many occasions, tigers and leopards have also been seen in this part of the park in search of prey.

However, bird watchers will love this place because there are about 600 species of birds found here, most of which are species of migratory birds. There are also some villages in the Sitabani forest area, which you can visit by taking time out. Although most of the tourists visiting Jim Corbett prefer to see the core area of the park, if you take the time to visit this place then it will not disappoint you in any way.

This part of the park also has an ancient temple known as Sitabani Temple. The responsibility of the maintenance of the Sitabani temple lies with the Archaeological Survey of India. Apart from this, there is an ancient Shiva temple at this place, which is visited by the residents in large numbers.

Night safaris are also organized in the Sitabani forest area, which can be an exciting experience for you. Apart from jeep safaris, elephant safaris, tourists can also roam on foot in this zone of the park. Apart from this, you can also take a private vehicle in this area.

In the Sitabani forest area, you can enter the park by paying the entrance fee at the entrance of Teda village. Once you enter this park, you can exit through Palgarh Gate, 60 km from the entrance.

Note:- 01 Before entering Park, take complete information about the rules related to the garden.

02 For more information related to travel, safaris and online booking in Jim Corbett National Park, visit the official website of Adhan ( https://www.corbettonline.uk.gov.in/ )

Jim Corbett National Park Best Time to visit

You can visit this park any time of the year except in some zones of Jim Corbett National Park. Avoid visiting this garden during the monsoon season as most of the park is closed for tourists during this time and the chances of sighting any kind of large animal are also very less.

After the monsoon, you can go for a walk in this park, while the winter season is considered to be the best time to visit this national park.

Jim Corbett National Park Entry Fee

S.no	Particular	Entry Fees
01	Indian Tourist	200/- INR
02	Foreign Tourist	900/- INR
03	Photography (Indian Tourist)	500/- INR
04	Photography (Foreign Tourist)	1000/- INR

Note: – 01 You can enter the park from only one gate at a time.

02 Entry fee will be charged separately for Jeep Safari, Elephant Safari and Canter Safari.

Jim Corbett National Park Safari