Introduction to Corbet: India's first ever National Park, Corbett National Park, is situated in the Tehri region of Uttar Pradesh at the foothills of the Shivalik range in the Himalayas. Stretching over an area of 520 sq. kms, this national park was established in 1936, under the advice of hunter-naturalist Jim Corbett. On April 1, 1973 Project Tiger was set up with the help of World Wildlife Fund, to save the Indian tiger from extinction.

James Edward Corbett, better known to the world as Jim Corbett, was born at Nainital. In 1907, he killed a man-eating tiger... a few of the many man-eaters he was destined to kill. His adventures have been chronicled in his famous book, 'The Man-Eaters of Kumaon'. Corbett National park is famous the world over as the 'Land of the trumpet, roar and song'..

Corbett National Park houses over 50 mammals, 580 birds and 25 reptile species. A plethora of insects can be seen after the monsoons. The chief attraction of this park are the Indian Tigers. In 1984, 90 tigers were estimated here.

The other animals found here are leopards, leopard cat, jungle cat, fishing cat, the sloth bear, Himalayan black bear, dhole, jackal, yellow throated marten, Himalayan palm civet, Indian grey mongoose, common otter, porcupine, and the clacktaped hare. Elephants are spotted all over the park.

Ghoral (goat antelopes) as well as four species of deer, the chital (well known spotted deer), para Kakkar and barking deer can also be spotted here.

Sightseeing: The park is rich in avifauna with a range of over 580 species. Most of the water birds are migrant and arrive in winters. Some of these are the greylag, barheaded goose, duck, grepe, snipe, sandpiper, gull and wagtail. The residents include darters, cormorants, egrets, herons, the blacknecked stork and the spurwinged lapwings.

The park is also a home to some reptiles. The Gharial (the rare, fish eating, long-nosed crocodile) a few species of turtles and tortoises, Indian python, viper, cobra, krait and king cobra are inhabitants of this park.

The National Park affords some awe-inspiring sights of wild life. It offers invaluable experiences for the adventurous. The place is just ideal for wildlife lovers, photographers and anglers. The best way to explore the place is by a private vehicle. Walking is allowed only in a few areas, that too accompanied by a guide. One can book elephants in the Dhikala complex for elephant rides to view the wildlife, in the morning and evening.

Excursions: Corbett is a part of the Kumaon region of Uttaranchal. The entire state is a tourist paradise with picturesque hill stations, pilgrimages, wildlife, and high-speed rivers all around. Some of the major destinations in this region are still unexplored, and this gives you ample opportunities to have a great time. Ranikhet or the /’queen/’s paddy field/’ is only one of such destinations. Kalagarh Dam, Sitabani, Garija Devi, and Kaladungi are all small retreats in the Corbett National Park where you would find a sylvan atmosphere and spiritual isolation. Rampur is a former princely town in Uttar Pradesh with a great library that houses thousands of rare books and paintings.