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:: N O R T H   I N D I A   >  C O R B E T T ::           Brief -     Named after Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter naturalist, the Corbett National Park, is believed to be one of the finest habitats of the tiger in India. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, the park extends over a tract of 520 sq. km. A large valley with forested ridges, the Ramganga river winds through its entire length and dense sal and deciduous forests cover the park area. Over 50 mammals, 580 birds and 25 reptile species have been listed in Corbett, but it is most famous for the ever-elusive Tiger. The National Park was set up in 1973 and chosen for Project Tiger, of the World Wildlife Fund. Wildlife population includes Elephants, the Leopard and smaller Cats, Sambar; Chital the beautiful spotted Deer, Barking deer, Wild Boar, Sloth and Himalayan Black Bear and Crocodiles.           History -     Established as the first national park of India, on 6th August 1936, it was renamed in 1957 as Corbett National Park, in memory of Jim Corbett, the legendary hunter and naturalist. With the launching of Project Tiger in 1973, the Corbett National Park, was selected as one of the nine tiger reserves. A major landmark in the field of wildlife preservation, Corbett is no doubt one of India's most picturesque and best-known National Parks. While the area of the national park was increased in 1966, to enhance its integrity, there are proposals, to enlarge the national park through the establishment of a wildlife sanctuary, and to establish a corridor of protected areas between Corbett and the proposed Rajaji National Park in the north-west.           Culture -     Patli Dun was formerly part of the princely state of Tehri Garhwal. At that time, its forests were cleared to make the area less vulnerable to attacks from the Rohilas. Later, the Raja of Tehri, ceded part of his state to the British, in return for their assistance in driving out the Gurkhas. Boksas, tribals from the terai, settled in the area and practiced shifting cultivation, but they were evicted in the early 1860s under Major Ramsay. There are no settlements within the national park. About 7-8 villages on the boundary have grazing rights inside the national park. A large settlement has been established at Kalagarh under the Ramganga Dam project.           Climate & Geographical Location -     The Summers are cool and pleasant, while winters are very cold and sunny. Corbett National Park, lies in the foothills of the outer Himalaya, within the districts of Nainital and Pauri Garhwal.           How to Reach -     Corbett National Park is well connected by rail, road and air. By air, the nearest airport is Pantnagar at 110 Km and is well connected to different parts of the country. By rail, the nearest railhead is Ramnagar at 51 Km and the nearest meter gauge railhead is Haldwani. By road, this is the most preferred mode of travel to Corbett. The route from Delhi traverses Hapur-Moradabad-Ramnagar.           : T O U R I S T   P L A C E S :           Dhikala -     At the heart of the core area, where the tourist complex is situated, is a favourite viewing area. It is located at the edge of a grassy plateau, and perches high above the Ramganga reservoir. Deer and wild boar fearlessly roam in the compounds.           Corbett National Park -     This first national park of India was named after the Anglo-Indian hunter of man-eating tigers and leopards,who became a conservationist. Opt for dawn and dusk elephant safaris through dense forests, some on steep slopes, swift-flowing rivers, grassy plains stretching between the Garhwal and Kumaon Shivalik ranges. You might spot a tiger, though theyre nocturnal creatures, and see herds of wild elephant resting like charcoal grey boulders. There are also long snouted, fish-eating gharial crocodiles and their heavier cousins, the mugger; plenty of sambar, chital, hog and barking deer. More than 400 species of birds inhabit the park.