Corbett National Park
Jim Corbett, the renowned hunter of man-eating tigers and a conservationist,
has been remembered by having India's first national park named
after him. Located in Uttar Pradesh, the park stretches along the
Himalayan foothills and is cut across by the Ramganga river. The
park is accessed through the town of Ramnagar, where park entry
permits are to be obtained from the Field Director's office.
Although the park is well known for its tigers, it requires a lot
of luck and some patience to see the animal. Rides by the forest
department's elephants are usually available in the morning and
often the number of willing travellers surpass the number of elephants.
So queue up early. The commonly seen animals here are the various
kinds of deer, elephants, wild boar, jackal and other smaller species,
plentiful of birds, crocodiles and thin snouted, fish-eating 'gharials'
in the Ramganga river.
Although there are many forest bungalows within the park, Dhikala
on the bank of the Ramganga river, is the most convenient. However,
without an advance and confirmed night stay booking, visitors are
not allowed to check through Dhangarhi gate for Dhikala. Day visitors,
100 people a day, are allowed to go upto Bijrani after obtaining
special permission at Amdanda gate.
BASICS
STD Code: 05947.
Airport: Lucknow or Delhi.
Rail: Ramnagar railway station is about 2 kilometres from the town-based
Forest Reception office. Ramnagar is connected directly with Delhi
and Moradabad.
There is a daily direct bus from Ramnagar to Dhikala and back.
Best time: The Park remains open between November 15 and June 15.
Although May/June is high summer, there are more chances of seeing
the tiger.
Accommodation: There are several forest bungalows within the Park.
Except Dhikala it is necessary to have own transport for Sultan,
Sarapduli, Gairal, Bijrani and others. At some of these places,
you may have to carry your food too.
There are some privately owned cushy resorts on the eastern edge
of the Park. They are open round the year and have their own transport
arrangements. When the park is closed, these resorts operate at
reduced prices-- Corbett Riverside Resort (Tel: 51961), The Claridges
Corbett Hideaway (Tel: 51959), Tiger Tops Corbett Lodge (Tel: 51279),
Quality Inn Corbett Jungle Resort (Tel: 05946-51219).
Local transport: Hire a forest-worthy vehicle from Ramnagar and
retain it for the duration of your stay. Even if you miss out on
elephant rides or want to visit the watch tower, the vehicle will
come useful.
Contact: Uttar Pradesh Tourism
3 Nawal Kishore Road
Lucknow-226 001
Tel: (0522) 228349, 225165
Uttar Pradesh Tourism
36 Chandralok Building
Janpath, New Delhi-110 001
Tel: (011) 3711296, 3322251
Field Director, Project Tiger
Corbett National Park
Ramnagar, Nainital-24475
Tel: (05947) 51489, 51362, 51376
|
