Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary

Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary: Facts and Figures

Area	:	600 sq km (core area of 322 km)
Altitute	:	1200 meter above the sea-level
Rainful	:	1,294.5 mm
Minimum Temperature	:	7.6°C
Maximum Temperature	:	18.0°C
Languages	:	English, Hindi
Best Time to Visit	:	February to May

Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary: Introduction

The Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary is a primal jungle as Rudyard Kipling put it. Despite extensive tourism, the Wildlife Sanctuary has managed to retain its primeval ambience, where man must walk timorously, in awe and with a strong sense of his own insignificance.

Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary: Climate

As with the rest of the country, there are three well-defined seasons at the Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary, winter from November to February, summer from March to June and the rainy season the rest of the year. Jim Corbett is closed for public from June 15 to November 15.

Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary: Biosphere

The main feature of this ridged valley is the Ramganga River, running broadly west by south west, the catchments streams of which vivisect the land into numerous little ridges and ravines. The topography is therefore very varied. The streams forming islands of sheesham trees, the ridges being thickly foliated with sal trees and the pastures carrying long grasses. In this variety of habitat abounds wildlife of enchanting beauty including 50 mammals, 577 birds and at least 25 reptiles. The river teems with mahseer, gharial, mugger and flocks of cormorants.

Project Tiger was inaugurated here on April 1, 1973. The center of tourist activity in the park always continues to be Dhikala, at the heart of the core area. Here, substantial residential accommodation has been built along one end of a large grassy plateau perched on the edge of the cliff bordering the Ramganga reservoir

Apart from tigers (90 in number in 1984), leopards as well as lesser cats such as the leopard cat, jungle cat, and fishing cat are also found here. The sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, dhole, jackal, yellow throated marten, Himalayan palm civet, Indian grey mongoose, common otter, porcupine, black naped hare are the other attractions of this area. It is possible to see elephants all over the park.

Four species of deer are found here. These are the barking deer, para, kakkar, and the well known spotted deer chital. The goat antelopes are represented by the ghoral.

There is a lot for the bird watching opportunities in this park as it has over 580 species of birds. Most of the water birds are the migrant variety, and arrive in winters. Some of these are the graylag, bareheaded goose, duck, snipe, sandpiper, gull and wagtail. The residents include darters, cormorants, egrets, herons, the black-necked stork and the spur winged lapwings.

The reptiles, which are residents of this area, are the rare fish eating, long-nosed crocodile gharial, and a few species of turtles and tortoises. The Indian python, viper, cobra, krait and king cobra also inhabit the Jim Corbett National Park.

The Wildlife Sanctuary offers invaluable experiences for adventurous and serious-minded wildlife-buffs, photographers and anglers. It is advantageous to have one's own vehicle here. Walking in some areas is permitted, but only when accompanied by a guide. Elephant rides for wildlife viewing, in the mornings and evenings, can be booked in the Dhikala complex.

In the vicinity of the Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary are the wildlife sanctuaries like Rajaji Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa Wildlife Sanctuary. Lucknow is the capital of Uttar Pradesh and one of the major tourist destinations in the country.

Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary: How to Reach

By Air
Phoolbagh, Pantnagar at a distance of 50 km is the nearest airport. Delhi at a distance of 300 km is the nearest international airport.

By Rail
Ramnagar is on the broad gauge track from where the road transport options have to be availed to reach the park.

By Road
Dhikala is 300 km from Delhi, 145 km from Lucknow and 51 km from Ramnagar. The route from Delhi spans Hapur-Murababad-Ramnagar. The turn off is some 7 km beyond Muradabad to the left, marked by a small board. The route from Lucknow spans Bareilly. Kichha. Rudrapur. Doraha. Kashipur.

Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary: Where to Stay

Accommodation is available at Dhikala (103 beds) and there are a number of forest rest houses elsewhere in the national park (48 beds). There is also provision for caravans and tents. Tourists also have a range of resorts to choose from, all located along the main Ramnagar-Ranikhet road bordering the eastern edge of the park. These are all high-end budget resorts but even for the budget tourists, there are adequate options available in Ramnagar, the nearest town.

Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary: Links to outside world

STD/ISD and postal facilities are available at Ramnagar. Internet facilities are not available

Jim Corbett Wildlife Sanctuary: Travel Tips

Banking and other important tourist facilities are available at Ramnagar and Lucknow. The Wildlife Sanctuary is closed from mid June to mid October.