|
Home
|
About Us
|
Contact Us
|
North
India |
South India
|
West India
|
East
India |
Central India
|Site Map
|
Email
Home
> North India
>
Uttaranchal Tour
> Places of Interest In Uttaranchal
> Corbett Wildlife
Corbett
Wildlife Tourism
Corbett is regarded as one of the true bird parks of the world. Out of the
2,060 species and subspe cies
of birds recorded in the Indian subcontinent, over 600 species/subspecies of
birds have been recorded from Corbett at one time or another. This number is
greater than the total number of bird species found in Europe and represents
around one fourth of the available diversity found in India. Out of the 69
species of raptors found in India, 49 can be seen in Corbett making it a
striking element of the local avifauna. The reserve, which covers 520 sq.
kms. is not less than a paradise for bird-watchers. European bird-watchers
are some of the keenest visitors to the reserve during winters when the bird
diversity is at its peak.
India's first and finest park spread over 520 sq. kms. along the banks of
the Ramganga river, just 300 kms. northeast of Delhi in the foothills of the
Himalayas is the Corbett National Park. Established initially as Hailey
National Park on August 8, 1936, in honour of Sir Malcolm Hailey, then
governor of the United Provinces, the name was changed to Ramganga National
Park in 1952. In 1957, it was finally named as Corbett National Park in
honour and memory of the latc Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter,
naturalist-turned-author and photographer who had helped in setting up the
park and demarcating its boundaries.
Birds which can be spotted at the banks of River Ramganga on the outskirts
of Corbett Park include Brown Fish Owl,
Himalayan Kingfisher, Brown Dipper and Plumbeous/White-Capped Redstarts. One
can also see Little/Staty backed Forktails and Mountain/Rufousbellied
Hawk-Eagles here. Inside Corbett Park, Blue Whistling Thrush and Red Jungle
Fowl are immediate possibilities. But with some efforts one can spot
Oriental White-eye, Jungle Owlet, Alexandrine Parakeet, Himalayan Swiftlet,
Lesser Fish-Eagle or even Great Thick-knee, Stork-billed Kingfisher and many
more. Mammals include Tiger, Indian Elephant, Chital, Sambhar, Muntjack
(Barking Deer), Hog Deer and Common Langur. A trip to these magnificent
Sanctuaries will also take you through Jaipur (Pink City) and Agra (City of
Taj) which will add the experience of Indian culture, heritage, history and
hospitality to your memories.
With elevations in the Park ranging from 400m to 1210m there is a rich
diversity in habitat. Animals of the Himalayas and those of peninsular India
can both be seen here and over 50 mammal and 25 reptile species have been
recorded at Corbett. Among the predators are the tiger, leopard, diverse
species of lesser cats and the dhole - the wild dog.
There are antelopes (nilgai and ghoral) varieties of deer (hog deer, sambhar,
chital or spotted deer and barking deer), the primates (rhesus and langur)
and other animals like jackals, foxes, civets, wild boar, sloth bear, black
bear and a range of reptiles including the cobra, python and two species of
crocodile. The rare fish eating, long snouted gharial and the more robust
mugger can be seen basking along the sand banks and pools of the Ramganga.
The river which is also noted for its sporting fish, the mighty mahaseer and
the malee is popular with anglers.
Corbett is the home of 580 species of birds including water fowl, 17 types
of woodpecker, raptors like the Pallas fishing eagle, harriers and kites,
peafowl, kalij pheasant, the rare chir pheasant, red jungle fowl, minivets,
shrikes, cuckoos, drongos and barbets. A fine reservoir on the river formed
with the building of a dam at Kalagarh now attracts diverse species of water
birds - both local and migratory. With its avian variety Corbett is a
marvellous location for bird watchers also.
|